Good Morning Friends,
Today we look at the connection of being a disciple of Christ and following the wise ways of growing in our faith of God in purposeful relationships with others knowing that there is just one of you and only one of me. The lectionary text is about growing up in Christ and embracing a new identity that is not only reformed but transformed. Of course, we naturally are to wonder what we are transforming into. And so, we look at our own distinctive lives and ask about Jesus’ call for us to follow asking, Are We To Be Spiritually Unique Too?
Scripture: For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:9-14 (NRSV)
Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.
Luke 5:1-11 (NRSV)
Message: I think we should examine our lives to see if we are exhibiting the characteristics of a people pleasing God but not get so legalistic about it to fail to enjoy life. And perhaps the first place to work on this is being who we are and knowing who we are and being ok with who we are to become. This is part of the goal of the Christian life. But it is also a goal to see if our spiritual labors are producing God-pleasing characteristics in the lives of others and practical results as we go fishing in the deep waters of faith. That is what Jesus is getting at with the disciples. That is what Paul is praying for in the lives of the Colossians. Perhaps the first thing we are to realize is that we will be known by our fruit of the Spirit and by this, I mean love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. But not everyone is patient and kind and gentle by nature. You see, true disciples of Christ bear fruit that glorifies God. And this means picking up our crosses, abiding in Christ and the Word and as a priority living for Jesus sharing the love and forgiveness we have received. So, we are to evaluate our lives. We are to grow in the unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature spiritually but also spiritually unique. If so, we will be strengthened in a way that God can use to improve the lives of others. We will not become Christ, but we will become and be aware of who God made us to be… heirs of God. So, Discipleship is more than teaching truths about the Bible. It is being involved in people’s lives. The Lord gives us this blueprint, in the form of nudges to help us to grow, and to help others grow in spiritual maturity as disciples. And He commands us to make disciples, repeating the process that he first began in the lives of his own disciples. Friends, the plan for our salvation and growth is found in the example of Jesus but also in excepting and being honest about who we are in relationship with God and others.
And So, Jesus prayed that we would be one but nevertheless we are unique just as Christianity is unique. Christianity is the only religion where God reaches down to man. Other religions are systems of do’s and don’ts to appease God; whereas Christianity is a relationship with God. Christianity looks to the Bible for truth. But perhaps the most defining principle of Christianity that makes it truly unique in every way and provides its fundamental basis, is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Within Christianity, the resurrection is vitally important, for without it, Christianity does not exist, and our faith is useless. We will never be perfect enough to please God and merit His favor. So, there may well be a uniqueness to our own supernatural persuasion that prompts us to follow Jesus. Sure, we do have some things in common when we worship but I cannot be you and you cannot be me. The beauty is that God loves us as we are but also loves us enough to help to change us. And here our senses might well help us to experience our Christian neighbors and in holy way that glorifies the glorifier in a way that is the great mystery of life itself. Friends, there are no ordinary people.
Pray we open our homes and lives to others. Pray we discover a ministry that produces spiritual growth not just in ourselves but overflows in the lives of others. Pray we only boast of the power of Christ in us. Pray we give thanks to God in a way that produces a harvest of thankfulness. Pray we develop the type of spiritual maturity that occurs only by discerning God’s will for us to act in good faith and good will with a goal of a purpose that glorifies God. Pray we apply the truths that we learn into acts of obedience in our lives. Pray we share in the inheritance of the saints. Pray we receive the blessing of a changed life. Pray we grow mature spiritually as we follow the way of Jesus. Pray we experience the uniqueness of our Christian neighbors as a way of becoming and making disciples as we glorify God.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 