a righteous kill

I see this same pattern occurring today.  From John 12:

9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.

What's the pattern? "Righteous" people trying to kill off the life-giving movements of God.

The Pharisees were trying to kill Lazarus--whom Jesus had already raised from the dead once--because "many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him."

How many times does this happen in our churches today?

How many times do we see people in the church trying to kill something off because people are finding life somewhere else, in something else?

How many times do we see people in the church defending to the death a long-standing program, a dated worship style, or a culturally irrelevant conviction as they see God give life to another?

Let's let the things that need to die, die.

Let's get on board with the things that God is using to bring the dead to life.

And, let's not make the mistake of trying to kill the the very same things that God is trying to bring to life.