Disciples: Born, or Made?
(This is a continuation of the topic 'On Shepherding and Discipleship')
"Lee, what do the disciples do?", I said to my (then) five year old son. "They follow Jesus," he said. Indeed. Disciples follow Jesus. There is much that can be unfolded here regarding the cultural context of the Jewish rabbi (teacher), but suffice to say that to be a disciple of someone was to fully submit to following their teaching and way of life. It was a total commitment.
While the Scriptures give no illusion that the life of a Christian is a sinless one (see 1 John 1:8-10), it knows nothing of a Christian whose heart and life are not unalterably changed to become more like Christ. A journey through 1 John gives a clear picture of both what the Christian lives (see 1 John 3) and believes (see 1 John 4). Certainly the criteria for salvation in Romans 10:9-10 reflects both a confession of the mouth and a submission of the heart to Jesus as Lord, the Supreme Ruler.
Jesus was clear regarding the cost of discipleship: everything. Our introductory Scriptures are but an example of many that Jesus spoke regarding the cost of following Him. Luke 9:23-27 are clear that only a life 'lost' for Christ's sake is truly saved.
So - is it possible to be a Christian and not be a disciple? Not according to Jesus.
What we see here is that 'discipleship' - being a disciple - is more a God-given identity than a man-given activity. Once one is born again (see John 1:12-13, 3:3ff) he or she is a Christian, a follower of Christ. This begins the path of discipleship:
What are we to make of Matthew 28:19-20, our command to 'make disciples'? The word here is literally 'to disciple', i.e. to instruct or teach by word and life. God has begun the work in salvation, and invites us to participate in the process of spiritual growth in one anothers' lives, and each of us who are Christians has a part.
Given these truths, I believe there are two important questions to ask:
Certainly strong discipleship requires a clear communication of both the Gospel and what it means to obey what God has commanded in His word (more on that next time).
Certainly poor discipleship would be to try to teach someone to obey God's word without ensuring they have truly repented and believed in the Gospel - an exercise in futility to be sure, but one I fear many people and churches engage in every day.
Despite this undeniable role for all Christians, this does not leave pastors off the hook - they play a unique and indispensable role in God's plan of discipleship. Lord willing, we will explore this in the next entry entitled: 'Pastor: Title or Identity?'
So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has
cannot be my disciple.
(Luke 14:33 ESV)
And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
cannot be my disciple.
(Luke 14:33 ESV)
And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
(Matthew 4:19-20 ESV)
(Matthew 4:19-20 ESV)
"Lee, what do the disciples do?", I said to my (then) five year old son. "They follow Jesus," he said. Indeed. Disciples follow Jesus. There is much that can be unfolded here regarding the cultural context of the Jewish rabbi (teacher), but suffice to say that to be a disciple of someone was to fully submit to following their teaching and way of life. It was a total commitment.
While the Scriptures give no illusion that the life of a Christian is a sinless one (see 1 John 1:8-10), it knows nothing of a Christian whose heart and life are not unalterably changed to become more like Christ. A journey through 1 John gives a clear picture of both what the Christian lives (see 1 John 3) and believes (see 1 John 4). Certainly the criteria for salvation in Romans 10:9-10 reflects both a confession of the mouth and a submission of the heart to Jesus as Lord, the Supreme Ruler.
Jesus was clear regarding the cost of discipleship: everything. Our introductory Scriptures are but an example of many that Jesus spoke regarding the cost of following Him. Luke 9:23-27 are clear that only a life 'lost' for Christ's sake is truly saved.
So - is it possible to be a Christian and not be a disciple? Not according to Jesus.
What we see here is that 'discipleship' - being a disciple - is more a God-given identity than a man-given activity. Once one is born again (see John 1:12-13, 3:3ff) he or she is a Christian, a follower of Christ. This begins the path of discipleship:
- Born again by the word of God (1 Peter 1:3, 23)
- Hungering for the word of God (1 Peter 2:2) (Seriously, do you have to tell a baby that he or she is hungry? No - a living baby will naturally be hungry!)
- Maturing in the word of God (Hebrews 5:13-14)
What are we to make of Matthew 28:19-20, our command to 'make disciples'? The word here is literally 'to disciple', i.e. to instruct or teach by word and life. God has begun the work in salvation, and invites us to participate in the process of spiritual growth in one anothers' lives, and each of us who are Christians has a part.
Given these truths, I believe there are two important questions to ask:
- Am I a disciple? (2 Corinthians 13:5)
- Are those I am seeking to disciple, well - disciples? (note the compelling example of the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 2:13)
Certainly strong discipleship requires a clear communication of both the Gospel and what it means to obey what God has commanded in His word (more on that next time).
Certainly poor discipleship would be to try to teach someone to obey God's word without ensuring they have truly repented and believed in the Gospel - an exercise in futility to be sure, but one I fear many people and churches engage in every day.
Despite this undeniable role for all Christians, this does not leave pastors off the hook - they play a unique and indispensable role in God's plan of discipleship. Lord willing, we will explore this in the next entry entitled: 'Pastor: Title or Identity?'
So - is it possible to be a Christian and not be a disciple? Not according to Jesus. What we see here is that 'discipleship' - being a disciple - is more a God-given identity than a man-given activity. Once one is born again (see John 1:12-13, 3:3ff) he is a Christian, a follower of Christ.
ReplyDeleteAnd that is because once one is born again, he finally has eyes to see Christ for who He is. And when we see Him in all His glory, we must be compelled to follow after Him. To know Him is to enjoy Him. To see Him is to follow Him.
Jonathan Edwards's biographer, George Marsden, helpfully summarized Edwards's thoughts on this matter:
"'Beauty' is the term that Edwards most typically used to describe the character of God's ongoing actions in creation and redemption. 'Beauty' for Edwards is not just an object of passive contemplation, but rather a transforming power. If one sees a beautiful person, said Edwards, one cannot help but be drawn to that person. One’s heart is drawn to that beauty, and one’s actions will follow one’s heart. So it is with the surpassing beauty of God as revealed in Christ. ... If one glimpses the perfect beauty of such love, one cannot help but be drawn to it.
Amen.
And so if we claim to be disciples, whose eyes have been opened to see and treasure the glory of God in the face of Christ, yet we are not compelled to seek after and pursue and follow that beauty, something's wrong.
Lots of folks put their hand to the plow and then look back (Lk 9:62). Many fall away when trials come (Mt 13:20-21). Some believers will have all their works burned up at the last judgment (1 Cor 3:11-15). Although the first 2 groups may not include believers, the last one does. So, unfortunately, some believers are poor followers of our Lord. When Jesus tells us to make disciples, I am convinced it includes a process, not just an event, in the lives of folks. They become disciples but also need discipling.
ReplyDeleteIt is NOT automatic that a Christian will be a good follower of the Lord. Much growth has to occur. We, as more mature believers, need to help "disciple" those who are new believers.
"So - is it possible to be a Christian and not be a disciple?" No, but some disciples are in much need of help.
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Also, Mark, what are you doing up at 3:12 AM in the middle of the week? (Hopefully it was just a computer clock problem?!)
Mike,
ReplyDeleteAmen to that. Such is the reality of the work of Christ. 'For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.' (Colossians 3:3-4 NASB)
Mel,
Thanks for pointing out those passages, brother. I would be more emphatic in that those first 2 passages do not include believers at all! Yes, amen to the fact that believers are in the sanctification process, and I am almost daily amazed at the incredible patience and forbearance of our Lord. Yes, disciples need discipling, and I would say that all of us are in need of much help! Stay tuned next time for more on the nature of that help.
And no, I wasn't up at 3:12am - not sure how/when blogspot time stamps this stuff!