Sacred Power

A reflection for Alliance Council 2021.

In his sermon on the mount, Jesus says we should discern the health of a tree by its fruit. What would such an exercise reveal about us as a movement in this generation?

• What does our fruit reveal about who we are?

• What is being evidenced in us as followers of Jesus in our time?

• Does the fruit of our lives look like Jesus or someone, something else?

• Are we rooted in worldly patterns or a sacred power?

Fruitfulness is determined by rootedness. John 15 reveals the primary invitation of Jesus Christ is to abide in him. Abide. Remain. Stay in Jesus. The open invitation of Jesus to every one of us is: come be with me, so you can become like me.

Jesus tells us that a truly fruitful life is the natural byproduct of an abiding life. A.B. Simpson taught the life we are meant for begins with the dwelling life of Christ himself and flows into every part of our lives. This deeper life forms who we are as a movement. The abiding life is the way for us to be rooted and established in the love of Christ, allowing the Spirit to bring out the character of Christ in us: the fruit of the Spirit.

The Alliance is renowned as a missions movement, but that’s not all we are: We are a deeper life and missions movement. We walk in Christ’s power because we abide in Christ’s presence. We are a Great Commission people because we are first a Great Commandment people. At the end of John 15, Jesus says that his disciples will bear witness about Jesus, because we have been with Jesus.

All of Jesus for all the world requires all of Jesus in all of us.