Efficiency Evaluation

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch…that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit. – Jesus (John 15)

If you are a follower of Jesus, you are a branch (John 15:5). In the context of John 15, a true follower of Jesus bears fruit and a true follower is purged in order to bear more fruit. The Greek word translated as “purged” is kathairo, meaning “to cleanse, of filth impurity” and also “to prune trees and vines from useless shoots.”

That reminds me of Hebrews 12:1 where Paul admonishes us to lay aside every weight (useless shoots) and sin (filth, impurity) that besets us and to run with patience the race that is set before us.

These two metaphors of the Christian life describe efficiency - achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense (dictionary.com).  Efficiency is this age is highly esteemed. Apparently, it has always been highly esteemed by God. But are our efforts aimed at efficiency properly focused? Are we efficient fruit bearers? Are we efficient racers?

We say our church is efficient...
-Our debt reduction plan is progressive.
-Our budget is streamlined (we are good stewards).
-Our technology is up to date.
-Our services pack the most power into the least amount of time.
-Our ministries reach a lot of people.
-Our…

But if we evaluate our efficiency by God's standards...
-Do we know what fruit He desires?
-Do we bear that fruit?
-Do we continue to bear more of that fruit?
-Do we know what race He set before us?
-Do we run that race?
-Do we patiently run that race?

God, inspect our fruit and evaluate our race. Cleanse us of impurities and rid us of excess so that we may be our best for You. 

Follow Jesus...plus nothing.