Many things have changed in my life since being converted to a believer. My life as a dry branch was what I think most people experience. Frustrations of daily life, petty hate of people you disagree with. You do things, and wonder what compelled you to do such a thing. Short answer, satan.
John 15:6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.
The bible is pretty clear on what happens with dry branches. Cast into the fire. This includes people that think they are “good.”
The bible is also crystal clear on who is good.
Luke 18:19 And Jesus said to him, Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.
But God wants none to be lost, and dry branches can be brought back to life.
John 15:1 I am a true sprouting vine, and the farmer who tends the vine is my Father.
Really, you should read all of John. You’ll be better for it.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
And remember, if you are interested in God, God is interested in you.
My love of history and my new found willingness to obey God has led me to study early Christianity. 1st century Christians, those from 100AD to 200AD chose to follow and express their faith in something I see similar to our small Baptist church. Those early Christians would sing hymns and praises to start out their service and move on to fellowship and the breaking of bread. This is pretty much what we do, with the exception of not breaking bread every service. Yes, I have made mention of that, but tradition is strong, even outside the Catholic church, and they’re not willing to entertain communion every Sunday, yet.
And because of the mandate from our local Cesar, we cannot shake hands or greet each other, at all. And this is a very big change for us. It used to be all of 10 minutes of fellowship, hugs and smiles. New people coming to the church always were amazed at this. Sadly, we can’t now, but I am sure if we called it a protest of some current idiocy, we would be granted full access to each other. Crazy times.
Here is one of our favorite hymns that was used to close the service. Even if we are restricted in our lives, God is still good and it truly is well with our souls. Remember to read John, all of it.