~ The Process of Growth ~
Do you know
the best way to care for a pearl?
The
following is an excerpt from a book.
The pearl grows only when it remains in
vital contact with the oyster. Christians can only grow spiritually as they
remain in contact with their Savior. God’s plan is for individual Christians to
meet together in a local church for spiritual growth, including collectively
remembering His work on our behalf, prayer, fellowship, and outreach to those
outside the Church.
A healthy church is characterized by unity
and what we do together has eternal consequences. Churches are organized as
non-profit organizations; however, an ineffective church becomes a non-prophet
organization and has lost its purpose.
Pearls are delicate and much more easily
damaged than other gems. The best way to care for a pearl is with water. Oils
from our skin and even mild detergents can cause serious harm to the value of
the pearl. Water is the safe and effective cleaning agent.
The one precious pearl is sanctified
(cleaned) by the One who gives “the water of life” (John 4:10-11) from “the
spring of the water of life” (Revelation 21:6). Regular involvement in a local
church is one of the primary means God intends for us to be cleansed, remain
clean, and continue to grow.
~
from “ONE PRECIOUS PEARL: God’s Design
for His Church, pg 102 (ISBN: 9780741462329)
Learn more about this important book at Amazon,
the Publisher,
or the Author’s
website.
~ Robert
Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE
NOW
No comments:
Post a Comment