I was reflecting in how faith needs an environment within which to function. Just as my job skills need a company within which to function and find expression.
It's interesting that without Truth, unconverted believers attempt to fit what they read in scriptures into their natural environment. But faith wasn't designed to function within an environment of darkness and God has not called us to transform this world into His kingdom. Therefore they strive in vain labor without fruit.
That's how I felt in Haiti... There was much to do but little I was skilled for. I need power (electricity), tools (laptop) and a well from which to draw (Internet) in order to be productive... None of which were easy to come by.
So also must faith be joined to Christ in Truth to become fruitful. It is not our activity that redeems us. Christ does. The activity must be joined to Him and for that we must be directed by Him and actively cooperating with Him.
This is why we begin with grace and recognition of spiritual government. For if Christ is not the head, then nothing following can be of value in His kingdom.
--John Welty, Apostle of Christ
