What If We All Were Called To Be Disciples And Not Just Converts?
Good Morning Friends,
Here at the corner of the changing Church and the changeless Christ we contemplate what it means to remember, follow, obey and submit. Here at the corner of the Sword and the Spirit we consider what it means to be called out for service. Here at the crossroads we reflect on what it means to be have a real faith manifested in not just knowing scripture and theology but in living it out. With this in mind we contemplate a question relevant for everyone who is a member of a church and even for those who are not. What If We All Were Called To Be Disciples And Not Just Converts?
Scripture: The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.
Ephesians 4:11-13 (NRSV)
Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
Hebrews 13:7 (NRSV)
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NRSV)
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20 (NRSV)
Message: When we try to water down the message by saying things like: All sin has been forgiven so you really don’t have to give it up…. You don’t have to change because you are only human. You don’t have to be transformed because then you would be of no earthly good. You don’t have to die to yourself. You just need to believe. Then we miss the mark. You see, God wants us all to be disciples not just converts. The Jews and all the rest of us. Jesus doesn’t call us to be converts or to win converts. That does not take it past the goal line. Jesus calls us to make disciples. And friends, there is a big difference between the two. And the reality is that we have a very long way to go largely because we cling to ways that do not produce results. Converts hear but disciples share the Gospel in a way that makes more disciples. The differences is that though both may believe, disciples live out the Word. Believers may read the Book but disciples have it written on their hearts. Converts typically have a focus on themselves and the world but disciples on being the Body of Christ together. The fundamental difference is that disciples are in the game and committed to it. Converts go to church but disciples are the Church. And this process of discipleship starts with God loving us so that we might learn to help others develop a life-time habit of living in the Scriptures and translating those Words into Spirit led actions. And yes there is a psychology around this but the belief cannot rest there alone. It takes about thirty consecutive days to make a habit stick. It takes seven touches before one might process an acceptance of the offer, but many more, many more, if we have bad habits to unlearn. You see learning how to extend God’s love and grace is not easy unless we are yoked to Jesus. We have learned many things the wrong way. And bad habits come easily but to form good habits there needs to be intentionality…a goal that is not self-centered. Today’s scripture declares in no uncertain terms that the mark of a believer is that they live in the Scriptures and that means living in the Spirit as well. Here we learn what it means to be wise to salvation. Here we get a glimpse of something that is inspired by God and is profitable to man. Here we are perfected and equipped for every good work. And the more we put into it the more we get out. The more time we spend in God’s Word, the easier it will be to dwell in a place that feels like home. Friends, Jesus offers us grace and love without condition, but not without expectation. We are to be disciples and that means we must disciple others, but not as the ultimate authority. We are to always recognize the authority of God. So know that our service can be very valuable but only in so much as it helps others mature in realizing that we each have a responsibility towards others. Real leaders always dissolution so they never become an idol for others.
Pray we affirm God’s invitation to us to follow in His path of peace and justice. Pray our practice of corporate prayer and reading of scripture be a legacy gift to the next generation. Pray we realize it is not enough to have learned the Scriptures. Pray we realize it is not enough to be assured that the teachings of Scripture show us truth. Pray we realize that it is not enough to know that our teachers and leaders share the truth. Pray we realize that we who have the gift of Scripture understand we are to abide with Christ in the Word as we disciple others. Pray we realize that all authority has been given to us. Pray we not abuse it.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 