The Natural Reaction

Laura and I spent some time in Brisbane, AUS walking through the shops at Queen's street.  There was a variety of shops which would be found in any mall in America selling clothes, electronics, shoes, games, CDs, DVDs, and beauty products.  There were many "touristy" type places, selling momentos, knick-knacks, and memorabilia with "Australia" printed on it.  As we perused the wares, there was something that caught my eye a time or two:  Newton's cradle.  This was a device Newton used to prove every action has an equal and opposite reaction.  This is the summation of Newton's second law, the law of motion.  When one ball is lifted and allowed to fall, a ball on the other side will spring into the air.  It is only friction between the balls that causes the motion not to be perpetuated indefinitely.


It caused me to consider the function of the church of Jesus Christ, His Body on this earth.  Is a church supposed to "run like clockwork," without heart or soul?  Is the church intended to be reactionary, simply acting opposite to what is contrary to biblical doctrine?  The answer is clearly no.  If we would be honest, one thing is true about the church today:  there is much motion, but little devotion.  God did not create the church to be perpetually in motion, but desires we be constant in pious devotion.  Devotion means obedience and humble submission to Him, seeking His direction and empowerment for His glory.  The church is not a machine, but a Body.  A Body is intended to respond to outward stimuli with a mind, heart, and soul according to the God-pleasing attitude within.


Though Newton's Law is true in the natural physical realm, the church is not bound by it in the supernatural.  Performing the work of God is God's doing, and we are tools and vessels in His hand.  He is the Potter, we are the clay.  The Body of Christ is directed by the Head who is Jesus, and the Holy Spirit empowers us to fulfill the will of God.  We need not react according to our natural inclinations, for the grace and love of God is supernatural.  Our work is not to form committees and scheme how we will win the world for Christ, but simply respond to the guidance and strength which come from God alone.  To react is to follow worldly wisdom:  to respond with genuine love in all circumstances is of God.  A soft answer turns away wrath.  The world may rage against us, but the force imposed upon us can be brought to nothing by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Our faith in Christ is not blind motion, but according to truth revealed in our hearts through His Word and Holy Spirit.


Consider the things you do "for God."  How many of those things has He explicitly told you to do, and how many are you doing because you were thrown into the motion of a church?  As people, we are masters of motion.  Once a ball gets rolling, sometimes it is hard to catch.  Sometimes when a ministry starts churning, it can simply be an outlet of the flesh that continues long after God has ordained.  Let's decide it is time for Christ to run His church and faithfully do our part with joy and gladness!  This is the most natural response for every believer.  What a relief it is to obey God!