“[Jesus said] Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”—Jesus (Matthew 7:15-20)
“The Christianity of Jesus left people with more dignity and greater care; with healed wounds and fuller bellies; with calmed fears and quieted worries. It left people seen and heard and known. It left a wake of kindness and generosity and goodness and compassion.” (Pavlovitz, John. Stuff That Needs To Be Said: Essential Words on Life, Death, Faith, Politics, Love, and Giving a Damn (p. 70). John Pavlovitz. Kindle Edition.)
By their fruit you will know them. I want to be proud to say that I am a Christian, but there are people out in our world and in our community who will meet you with derision if you claim to be a Christian. Why? Because their experience with Christianity has been negative and exclusionary – not welcoming and uplifting. When they come to the church and ask for help, they are met with frowns and requirements to join. When they seek a community of prayer and support, they are met with a community who is generous with damnation and stingy with Grace. When the community wants to know why churches of different denominations do not have joint worship or shared ministry, all we can do is shrug our shoulders and mourn the state of the church.
When we are forced to admit that the decline of the “institutional church” is endemic, perhaps we also need to admit that G-d is grieving the behavior and the teachings of so many Christians. I do not believe that G-d wants us to hate more than to love. I do not believe that G-d wants us to offer someone a stone who is asking for a loaf of bread. I am certain Jesus does not want me to give someone a snake when they ask for a fish to eat. (Matthew 7:9-11) But the more that the “institutional church” is offering the derision of snakes and plates filled with stones, the more we deserve the same condemnation. And good people of G-d, that is not a church I want to be a part of. I want people to know us by our fruit – not our snakes.
Pastor Dave
Lutheran Schreff 