Humanity is in the transference process. We are to be taking the image of God and imprinting it upon the earth, all creatures, and one another. Organic growth is God growth. It is different than most other areas of growth – often even more than religious advancement.
Neil Cole wrote a book titled Organic Church. In it he investigates the process Jesus used to multiply His Kingdom. He notes that organic growth is different and better than synthetic growth. In Jesus we see a truly life-changing approach to Kingdom Discipleship – life giving life to those around us. And Jesus was Master of this. When we emulate His ways we are truly following “in His steps.” Here are a few of the things that made Jesus’ process impactful, and give us help to live organic Kingdom lives.
Honor is Everything
Honor appears to be inseparably linked to value. Placing value. What does it mean to honor another person? To honor God? What motivation do we have relationally if we do not understand and pursue honor? Lasting organic growth will result from honor.
Wisdom
The Bible was given to us to contrast the wisdom of earth with the wisdom of heaven. In 1 Corinthians this contrast is amplified. “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” Jesus IS the wisdom of God because He IS God. To become wise we must connect organically with our Creator and His Word. When honor is connected in wisdom we become able to grow organically – inside-out.
Forgiveness
The entire redemptive Gospel experience hinges upon our choice to understand and implement forgiveness. Without it, we are destined to live lives of “quiet desperation.”
Matthew 6:14-15 is quite clear: “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” In forgiveness we find the wisdom of God (forgive them Father for they do not know what they are doing) and the ultimate way to honor God: by humbling ourselves under His “mighty hand.”
Dedication
All things worthwhile involve effort. All of creation and people were designed for this. When we find our “true north” and continue to reset time after time, we develop and experience dedication. To Truth. To principle. To honor. To hope. Those who are dedicated please God. By choosing to honor Him, live in His wisdom, live in the freedom of forgiveness, we dedicate not only to the things that are good but the One who is good.
Justice & Kindness
“He as told you O man what is good – do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly before your God.” Micah 6:8 describes the deep internal motivation for organic living. The greek word agape means to “seek the best” of the (object) one who is loved. Here is the formula for why our choices and actions can and will be so powerful.
To grow organically is to be genuine in our motivations, choices, and practices. It is always important to keep in mind the words and teachings of Jesus. He was sent to build His organic church. We are under His wings of shelter!
“I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:18-19
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” Revelation 21:1-4
Now THAT will be a wedding!
Dave and Burnadette
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