I’m reading a wonderful new book that captures a critical truth regarding the church: being “faithful” isn’t enough - at least, not the way that many think of it. For many pastors and churches, “being faithful” means correctly performing a list of religious duties.  Just preach the gospel, pray, have Bible studies for the adults and Sunday school for the children, etc.  As long as we are doing the right things in the right way, we can say that we are being “faithful” – and that’s all that God requires. 

The problem is that this version of “being faithful” robs the church of agency, responsibility, and hope.

• This version of “being faithful” means we don’t need to think about fruitfulness.  We don’t have to ask hard questions about effectiveness or think deeply about how to reach our culture for Christ.
• This version of “being faithful” means we can acknowledge the lack of conversions without feeling any real responsibility for it or urgency to change.  After all, God only requires that we be “faithful”. 
• This version of “being faithful” means we have no real hope to offer shrinking, dead, or dying churches. If they are doing the proper religious duties in the proper way then there is nothing more to do except to acquiesce to God’s will (which is apparently slow decline and ultimate demise).

In “Growth and Change”, author Andrew Heard argues that the other, and much more significant problem with such thinking is simply this: it is unbiblical. The Bible compels us, as the church of God, to be passionate about a faithfulness that produces fruitfulness!  As Jesus told His disciples in John 15, they were to abide in Him, and ask Him for all that they needed - so that they might bear much fruit to the glory of God (John 15:7-8). Biblical faithfulness will passionately pursue “much fruit”.   

The Bible compels us, as the church of God, to be passionate about a faithfulness that produces fruitfulness! 

Heard lists several compelling reasons why this is so. 

1. Because of the Mission of God. Though God Himself is unchanging, He is passionately committed to changing lives and making everything new by the power of the crucified, risen and reigning Christ.
   
   
2. Because of God’s Purpose for the Church. God’s overarching purpose, in Christ, is to “unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and on earth” (Eph 1:10) through the power of the gospel. The Spirit-filled church of Christ is His method of proclaiming that gospel throughout the world. He doesn’t send angels. He didn’t just leave us with a book. He created a church, the firstfruit of the new creation, to engage in His cosmic mission of reconciling men to God.  “Faithfulness” must include a zeal to see God’s mission come to fruition. It must include a passion for fruitfulness.
   
   
3. Because of the Reality of Heaven and Hell. The reality of eternal things, particularly the reality of eternal torment, was always on Jesus’ mind during His earthly ministry. That’s why he said things like, “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away.  For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell (Matt 5:29).  The fact that people are perishing and entering into eternal anguish without Christ means that we must be passionate about gospel fruitfulness, particularly the conversion of souls.

   The fact that people are perishing and entering into eternal anguish without Christ means that we must be passionate about gospel fruitfulness, particularly the conversion of souls.

4. Because of the Cross.  Jesus died to remove the cause of the deadly alienation between God and man – our sin. As Peter triumphantly says, “Christ died for sins, once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God” (1 Pet 3:18).  The cross both reveals God’s infinite passion to accomplish His saving purposes – and compels us to take up our calling as His earthly ambassadors. The fact that Christ has opened a way for sinners to freely enter eternal life by His blood and merit obligates us to make this good news known!  “We are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us…” (2 Cor 5:20).
   
   
5. Because of Love. The fascinating fact is that we can be convinced of everything already mentioned and still lack a passion for gospel fruitfulness. We can easily comfort ourselves by appealing to the fact that God will be glorified both in the gracious salvation of His elect and the just condemnation of the lost. So, if God will be glorified either way – why get all worked up? Because that’s what love does.  God Himself did not content Himself with the ultimate results of His own sovereign will.  He grieved over the suicidal unbelief of OT Israel: “Why will you die, O house of Israel?”  He “takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked” (Ezekiel 18:23) and “does not wish that any should perish” (2 Peter 3:9).  He “desires all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim 2:4).  Though the death of the wicked will certainly bring Him glory, it is clear that God has a great burden for lost people. Why? Because of love. He so loved this lost and ruined world that He “gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” 

God’s love compelled Him to embrace a great sacrifice to accomplish His great saving mission. And it should do the same for us. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:14, “the love of Christ controls us because we have concluded this; that One has died for all….that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised.”  Only when we love Jesus and share His love for lost people will we experience a passion for gospel fruitfulness in the building up of the saints and the gathering of the lost.

Dear brothers and sisters at Harvest, would you join me in praying for this love?  Pray that the Lord would teach us to delight in His saving mission and love those who are perishing.  Let’s pray that God would make us an increasingly fruitful church in faithfulness to His call.