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Our Fish Tank Donn Michael Koonce
“Do all things without murmurings and questionings: that ye may be become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights of the world” (Philippians 2:14-15). These verses clearly tell us that Christians are to be lights of the world and that those in the world should be able to see us. In the adult class studying “One Another,” an analogy was used depicting the church as being like fish in a fish tank. The whole world can see us. They can see what we are doing and what we are proclaiming. Are we aware of this? If we take this analogy a little bit further it can clearly show us how we are seen by the world. When someone looks into a fish tank the glass enlarges everything that is inside. For us this means the world can see the true relationships we have with one another. They can easily see this by who we do, and do not, associate with inside the church. We must have the right relationships with one another in order for the world to recognize that we truly love one another. If we have a problem with a brother or sister and do not take care of it that puts a spot of fungus on the tank. The world can see the fungus that starts to float towards the top of the tank and then attaches itself to the glass. On the surface it really doesn’t look that bad, but the world can see that some of the fish are not displaying the proper love for one another. Then, on the inside of the tank the fungus starts to grow because we are telling others of the problem instead of rectifying it, and the fungus is getting deeper in the tank. The unchecked fungus continues to multiply on the glass and pretty soon the world sees nothing but filth inside the church. The fish in the tank cannot see out and the world cannot see in, and there is definitely no desire to come into our tank. By breathing this filth we cannot survive for very long. Some of the fish will leave to go to a new tank, but even by doing this they will take some of the fungus with them. Others will try to survive but eventually will not be able to stand it either. There is a solution. “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). The love in this verse can be thought of as the fresh purifying water that continually cleanses the water in our fish tank. It stirs us unto greater love and good works. Without this love refreshing our water we could not survive. The world can see our hearts by our actions toward one another. When they look into our tank at Traders Point what do they see? Do they see us committed to one another, displaying proper love for one another or do they see us as holding animosity in our hearts?
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