Follow Christ?

Do you, or are you a Christian by accident of birth? Our Lord commands us to follow Him, and to do so with zeal. Are you zealous, or just a Sunday Only Christian?

How can I serve?

The first thing you need to do is make time. There must be time to pray, time to come to church (at the beginning of the service), and time to serve others. This means a lifestyle change for many of us. You cant do it all, so you will have to give up some things you like to do in order to do the things you need to do. There are lots of ways you can become a servant and produce fruits: Welcome newcomers to the parish and attend to them during the coffee hour. Volunteer to visit shut-ins, and help bring people to church. Be a good example of patience and generosity in your parish, and an active participant in Diocesan/Archdiocesan activities. Become a volunteer at a hospital or an institution that cares for people. Support FOCUS, an Orthodox charity centered on community service: http://www.focusnorthamerica.org Support IOCC, an Orthodox charity centered on disaster relief: http://www.iocc.org Support OCMC, an Orthodox charity centered on evangelization and ministry: http://www.ocmc.org If you commit yourself to doing good, God will strengthen you for the task!

Christians are supposed to be conquerors!

And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing; not knowing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may be rich, and white garments to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and chasten; so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. He who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Rv 3:14-22)

Ark of salvation Or Ship of fools?

http://orthodoxyandrecovery.blogspot.com
2013 Fr. George Aquaro - for free distribution only Version 1.0

This is serious
Too often, we take Christianity for granted. We become obsessed getting saved or having a personal relationship while we forget the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith; [which] you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. (Mt 23:23) We are called to be just, merciful, and faithful. The Orthodox Faith is about being transformed so that this is true of us. But, if we reduce the Faith to mere rituals, how can this be accomplished? We must conquer our fallen nature through Jesus Christ, who calls us to union with Him and God the Father. This cannot be done by showing up late and taking Communion without even bothering to be on time or to partake of the cleansing power of Confession.

What are the fruits?

There are two kinds of Spiritual Fruits: those of inner transformation, and those of service to God by serving others.

Do you bear fruit?

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:1)

Here are the first: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. (Gal 5:19-23) Here are the second: And the King will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me. (Mt 25:40) You cannot say that you have any fruit unless you bear both kinds: you cannot serve others while maintaining a selfish and hedonistic lifestyle. You also cannot bear fruit while being negative and angry. Only a fool remains in the Church but refuses to be changed by it. The Church is the Ark of Salvation, where all men find Gods love, and by this love are changed. A Ship of Fools is a party boat loaded with the debauched and sinful. Where are you? Are you here to have a party and get things, or are you here to give glory to God and be transformed by the worship of Him? In the end, the Ship of Fools produces nothing but a hangover and greater misery. But, the Ark of Salvation produces enduring joy for all people.

So, be serious!
Being serious does not mean being glum or angry. It is actually about being joyful! Those who are not serious are always gossiping and angry, since they do not take God seriously enough to lay aside such sin. Serious Christians are the ones who radiate joy, and seek to serve others. They are modest in clothing and behavior. They desire to serve and welcome others.