The Church in the Vine

What does it look like for us as the Church to genuinely love one another? How can we love with all the complexity, nuance, and wisdom it requires? These are important questions when we consider the ongoing failure to trust the Lord in all things in our own hearts. We could simply try harder, but that will only lead to pride in our perceived "success" or fear and sorrow in our failure. This kind of love cannot come from our own effort, but only as we are shaped and sustained in Christ, by the Spirit, through His word. We who are growing in our trust in Christ are those grafted into the vine, and His love begins to grow in us—in joy and sorrow, in comfort and in want—through one another, in rebuke, encouragement, and help, together as the Church. Ultimately, it is through Christ himself, by the Spirit, as we abide in him and in his Word. This alone turns duty into delight. This alone turns obligation into genuine love. And all of this will take place as we, the Church, simply look to Christ.