Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations.

Discipleship

June 13, 2009

The Lost Art of Discipleship

I plan to continue writing short insights on the topic I began last week. That topic is: The Lost Art of Discipleship. 

The topic is more than a complement to the Christian life; it is the Christian life. To be Jesus' disciple is to come into a saving relationship with God through Him. It is all that the Bible tells about what it means to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savor, and thus be saved. Without it, one cannot be saved. 
The command of what we call "The Great Commission" of Matthew 28:16-20, is a command to "make disciples." That is the active mandate of the passage. There it is. The commission is a call to go about the world and make, or better, receive, disciples by means of the gospel who would commit to be followers of Jesus. 

So, what is a disciple specifically? The Greek word simple means, a learner. That's what a disciple is -- he or she is a learner. But a learner of whom? The answer may seem obvious... A disciple is a learner of Jesus alone. 

But being a learner of Jesus is not so obvious when one considers the competing rivalries for that place. There are many. Some are good people; well meaning dragons. Being Jesus' disciple is an exclusive relationship with Jesus alone. Let me try to make that exclusive relationship understood to you. 
The late pastor and teacher James Montgomery Boice said, "I am no man's disciple; and no man is my disciple." That sounds like odd words from someone who desires to mimic Jesus' pattern in "making disciples." But Boice's concern was profound and a 'must-resolve' to every disciple of Jesus. 
Boice made the distinction between a cult and true Christianity. The cult seeks conformists to itself -- a person, an institution, a good denomination, or a defined way of conformity. But Jesus alone seeks disciples according to the Word of God alone. And, although you may, and should, appreciate the teaching from credible teachers -- I being one -- I trust that it is Jesus, by faith, you follow. Do you? 

Here are a few passages to meditate on and embrace; perhaps even memorize. Yikes! They are passages all from the Gospel of John: John 1:43; 10:4-5, 27; 12:26; 13:36-37; 21:19-22. 

A Rewarding Exercise  

Take a journey on these verses from the Gospel of John. God will give you insight into what it means to be Jesus' disciple. Here is your "Cliff Notes" cheat sheet: John 8:31-32. 

Here is my call, a teacher, to you: Pledge yourself and commit to never following a teacher, movement, or even a church. Pledge yourself to be a learner of Jesus alone, as certainly and practically as were his disciples: Peter, Andrew, James, John, and the rest throughout history to this day, June 14, 2009. And be faithful to your local church leaders who point the finger of discipleship to Jesus alone.

June 6, 2009

The Lost Call to being Jesus' Disciple

The apostle John summed up the way of the disciple when he wrote, "The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked" (1 john 2:6). And Jesus said, "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?"
These are daunting words. If you are like me, you cringe before such a demanding call. But we need not. The call to follow Jesus is not a call to perfection but to a day-by-day growing pursuit. It is the passionate pursuit of Paul as he spoke personally, "Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14). The Bible calls such a pursuer, a "disciple" (John 8:31). 

I would like to extend an invitation to consider anew the call to being Jesus' disciple. That call is about three things. I will take one each week. Here is the first: 

Being Jesus' disciple is first about commitment--a commitment to private and daily devotions. This is a practical call. It is the simple call of Jesus: "Follow me..." It is the call that brings salvation, for being saved is about being a disciple of Jesus. You will find that call in the words of Jesus Himself: 

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).

Are you ready to embrace the call anew? Then I give you a challenge, no two: First, memorize the passage above - meditate on it; pray from it; but most of all, "Come to" Him. Second, commit yourself, in prayer, anew, to letting Jesus be the Master, Savior, Owner, Possessor, and Ruler of all your life, according to God's Word alone. And if you want something very practical on what that means, just ask me and I will give you a little powerful booklet titled, "My Heart Christ Home." As you do this, you will be His disciple. And this will be your confidence:
...If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free (John 8:31-31) - another memory passage for you!   

Another good passage to memorize and pray from!