Why Bother With Discipleship?

If we are Christians simply by believing that Jesus died for our sins, then that is all it takes to have sins forgiven and go to heaven when we die. Why, then, do some people keep insisting that something more than this is desirable? Lordship, discipleship, spiritual formation, and the like?

What more could one want than to be sure of their eternal destiny and enjoy life among others who profess the same faith as they do. Of course everyone wants to be a good person. But that does not require that you actually do what Jesus himself said and did. Haven't you heard? "Christians aren't perfect. Just forgiven."

Now those who honestly find themselves concerned about such matters might find it helpful to consider four simple points:

First, there is absolutely nothing in what Jesus himself or his early followers taught that suggests you can decide just to enjoy forgiveness at Jesus' expense and have nothing more to do with him.

Some years ago A. W. Tozer expressed his "feeling that a notable heresy has come into being throughout evangelical Christian circles--the widely-accepted concept that we humans can choose to accept Christ only because we need him as Savior and that we have the right to postpone our obedience to him as Lord as long as we want to!" (I Call It Heresy, Harrisburg, PA.: Christian Publications, 1974, p. 5f) He then goes on to state "that salvation apart from obedience is unknown in the sacred scriptures."

This 'heresy' has created the impression that it is quite reasonable to be a "vampire Christian." One in effect says to Jesus: "I'd like a little of your blood, please. But I don't care to be your student or have your character. In fact, won't you just excuse me while I get on with my life, and I'll see you in heaven." But can we really imagine that this is an approach that Jesus finds acceptable?

And when you stop to think of it, how could one actually trust him for forgiveness of sins while not trusting him for much more than that. You can't trust him without believing that he was right about everything, and that he alone has the key to every aspect of our lives here on earth. But if you believe that, you will naturally want to stay just as close to him as you can, in every aspect of your life.

Secondly, if we do not become his apprentices in kingdom living we remain locked in defeat so far as our moral intentions are concerned. This is where most professing Christians find themselves today. Statistical studies prove it. People, generally, choose to sin. And they are filled with explanations as to why, everything considered, it understandable to do so. But, even so, no one chooses to be a sinner. It is amusing that people will admit to lying, for example, but stoutly deny that they are liars.

We want to be good, but we are prepared, ready, to do evil--should circumstances require it. And of course they do 'require' it, with deadening regularity. As Jesus himself indicated, those who practice sin actually are slaves of it. (John 8:34) Ordinary life confirms it. How consistently do you find people able to do good and avoid evil as they intend.

By contrast, practicing Jesus' word as his apprentices enables us to understand our lives and to see how we can interact with God's redemptive resources, ever at hand. This in turn gives us an increasing freedom from failed intentions, as we learn from him how, simply, to do what we know to be right. By a practiced abiding in his words we come to know the truth and the truth does, sure enough, make us free. (John 8:36)

Thirdly, only avid discipleship to Christ through the spirit brings the inward transformation of thought, feeling and character that "cleans the inside of the cup" (Matt. 23:25) and "makes the tree good" (Matt. 12:33). As we study with Jesus we increasingly become on the inside--with "the Father who is in secret" (Matt 6:6)--exactly what we are on the outside, where actions and moods and attitudes visibly play over our body alive in its social context. An amazing simplicity will take over our lives--a simplicity that is really just transparency.

This requires a long and careful learning from Jesus to remove the duplicity that has become second nature to us--as is perhaps inevitable in a world where, to 'manage' our relations to those about us, we must hide what we really think, feel and would like to do if only we could avoid observation. Thus, a part of Jesus' teaching was to "avoid the leaven, or permeating spirit, of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy." (Luke 12:1)

The Pharisees were in many respects the very best people of Jesus' day. But they located goodness in behavior and tried to secure themselves by careful management at the behavioral level. However, that simply cannot be done. Behavior is driven by the hidden or secret dimension of human personality, from the depths of the soul and body, and what is present there will escape. Hence they always failed at some point to do what is right, and had to redefine, redescribe or explain it away--or simply hide it.

By contrast the fruit of the spirit, as described by Jesus and Paul, does not consist in actions, but in attitudes or settled personality traits that make up the substance of the "hidden" self, the "inner man." "Love" captures this fruit in one word, but in such a concentrated form that it needs to be spelled out. Thus, "the fruit (singular) of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." (Gla 5:22) Other such passages easily come to mind, such as II Peter 1:4-11, I Cor. 13, and Romans 5:1-5.

"Spiritual formation" in the Christian tradition is a process of increasingly being possessed and permeated by such character traits as we walk in the easy yoke of discipleship with Jesus our teacher. From the inward character the deeds of love then naturally--but supernaturally--and transparently flow. Of course there will always be room for improvement, so we need not worry that we will become perfect--at least for a few weeks or months. Our aim is to be pervasively possessed by Jesus through constant companionship with him. Like our brother Paul: "This one thing I do! ...I press toward the mark! ...That I may know him!" (Phil. 3)

Finally, for the one who makes sure to walk as close to Jesus as possible there comes the reliable exercise of a power that is beyond them in dealing with the problems and evils that afflict earthly existence. Jesus is actually looking for people he can trust with his power. He knows that otherwise we remain largely helpless in the face of the organized and disorganized evils around us and unable to promote his will for good in this world with adequate power.

He is the one who said, "I have been given say over all things in heaven and earth. So you go...." (Matt. 28:18) Of him it was said that "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." (Acts 10:38) We are called to do his work by his power.

However we may understand the details there can be no doubt, on the biblical picture of human life, that we were meant to be inhabited by God and live by a power beyond ourselves. Human problems cannot be solved by human means. Human life can never flourish unless it pulses with "the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe." (Eph. 1:19) But only constant students of Jesus will be given adequate power to fulfill their calling to be God's person for their time and their place in this world.

But, someone will say, can I not be saved--get into heaven when I die--without any of this? Perhaps you can. God's goodness is so great, I am sure, that He will let you in if He can find any basis at all to do so. But you might wish to think about what your life amounts to before you die, about what kind of person you are becoming, and whether you really would be comfortable for eternity in the presence of one whose company you have not found especially desirable for the few hours and days of earthly existence. And he is, after all, One who says to you now, "Follow me!"

People, generally, choose to sin. And they are filled with explanations as to why, everything considered, it understandable to do so. But, even so, no one chooses to be a sinner. It is amusing that people will admit to lying, for example, but stoutly deny that they are liars.

I certainly find this applies to me at times :-). Very good article!

"following Christ, trying to be more like Him, and who seek to be doers of the Word, and not hearers only."

2 Cor. 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

LOL! Deja vu all over again! I'm "following Christ," and a "doer of the Word."

I'm glad you liked it. Dallas Willard is a GREAT author. He "gets it." There's no such thing as discipleship without effort or easy believism. If we want to live with the Master in heaven, we need to learn to live like the Master on earth. It's hard putting off the natural man, and strive to be more Christlike in thoughts, words and deeds, but that's what He expects of us. And luckily His grace is available to help us.

It's too bad that articles like this get almost zero response on FR. People are more interested in inter-denominational arguing.

So if we truly believe something and are convinced it is truth, do we not by default conform to this truth?

An example might be if you stay out in the sun too long, you will get a sunburn. We understand this truth and so we either cover ourselves, stay out of the sun, or put on sunscreen. We act because we know the inevitable alternative.

Does this not mean that people who fail to obey the commands of Christ truly do not believe Him. And therefore, does this not indicate that genuine belief (i.e. saving faith) cannot be determined by a sinners prayer or a baptism ceremony, but only evidenced by a life that conforms to the commands of Christ (i.e. bears fruit)?

This would eliminate the vast majority of American "Christians", don't you think???

Yes. If one truly believes then one acts like a believer. I think faith is an action verb. It's not the works that get us into heaven, but it's the works that help us to know how to behave once we're there.

I don't know if it will "eliminate" the vast majority of Christians--I hope not, because I think we're all deficient--but I think ALL Christians need to work harder to conform their will to Christ's, and put on the mind of Christ.

Just wanting something to happen doesn't make it happen.

I agree with the scripture. But it simply says "God is able to make all grace abound" towards me, that I may abound to every good work. It doesn't say that he automatically guarantees that it will be so.

Proof? He hasn't. I do NOT abound in EVERY good work. Neither do you. Neither does ANY Christian on the face of the earth. At times, I abound in good works, at times I obey the commandments, at times I feel close to Christ. At other times, I sin and I feel distant. His grace is always available to me, His forgiveness always offered, but I must be willing to draw near and partake. He stands at the door and knocks, but I must be willing to open the door. He told us, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." He didn't say, "My grace will make it so easy that you will always keep the commandments, no sweat." Effort is required on our part--not for Salvation, but to show gratitude for salvation; to try to become more like Him. We'll never accomplish that solely on our own merits, so Christ's grace is absolutely necessary.

Do you agree with scripture? Check out 2 verses before your favorite, in 2 Corinthians 9:6. We reap what we sow. Isn't that just as true as God being "able" to make all grace abound toward us? Don't the two go hand in hand?

Or do you not believe that we need to lift a finger to become like Christ?

"Do you agree with scripture? Check out 2 verses before your favorite, in 2 Corinthians 9:6. We reap what we sow. Isn't that just as true as God being "able" to make all grace abound toward us? Don't the two go hand in hand?"

Well said! ExactLy.

That is a favorite verse BTW =->. By sowing and reaping we Honor Jesus, and our harvest displays His Love for us for others to observe--and want to get in on!

Making us disciples.

This would eliminate the vast majority of American "Christians", don't you think???

It may, but I'm not sure. You probably know, as I do, brothers and sisters that you would put in the "minimalist Christian" category, or better yet, infant Christians. I was one not long ago, having become a believer last April. I strive to mature each day. I'm learning that Faith is not just belief, it's belief AND trust. James says the demons believe and they tremble. They obviously don't trust.

Are "fire insurance" Christians destined to be with the father? I don't know. 1 Cor 3:15 sounds like a YES!

Maybe they make it but their "rewards" are minimal. They store no treasures in heaven so when they get there they probably get a Happy Meal or something. They love that Happy Meal and think it's wonderful and show it to others with Happy Meals. They know no better and so they are satisfied.

As for me, I love the Lord, walk with Him every day, and I hope to have a crown to lay at his feet.

Another subject: Does your visual augmentation consist of eyewear, or is it something spiritual %^)

Revelations 3:15-16
15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

This scripture appears to contradict your statement:

Freakazoid: "Maybe they make it but their "rewards" are minimal. They store no treasures in heaven so when they get there they probably get a Happy Meal or something. They love that Happy Meal and think it's wonderful and show it to others with Happy Meals. They know no better and so they are satisfied."

Matthew 7:13-14
13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

From this passage, I would estimate that few means less than 50 percent. Perhaps less than 20 percent. Maybe even less than 5 percent. I am not certain the exact figure to assign to Christ's word "few" but I would say it is certainly a minority. If 9 out of 10 Americans say they are Christian, obviously many are truly deceived...

Thanks for responding.

I don't wish to make excuses for the fire insurance Christians, or in fact to give them any hope for staying in their current condition, and I'm familiar with the wide gate/narrow gate analogy, but I ask, who is the "someone" in 1 Cor. 3:15 "But if someone's work is burned up, that one will suffer loss; the person will be saved, but only as through fire."?

Could not the loss of "someone's work" be ALL of their work? They escape the burning house with nothing, not even the clothes on their back? This passage refers to rewards and not salvation but it could indicate that this "someone" gains salvation but has never built upon the foundation with other than wood, hay or straw:
1 Cor. 3:10-14
10
According to the grace of God given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But each one must be careful how he builds upon it, 11 for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ.
12 If anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 the work of each will come to light, for the Day will disclose it. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire (itself) will test the quality of each one's work.
14 If the work stands that someone built upon the foundation, that person will receive a wage.

I too believe that "few" means few and that many are decieved. I just don't know how to reconcile these two parts of scripture. Is the "someone" in 1 Cor. 3:15 someone other than the "minimal Christian"? If so, who?

This is a very important topic in the church today! More than ever in the history of the American church, we have adopted what people have coined "easy believism". This has done more harm to the modern church than any other, in my opinion.

Certainly there are differing rewards for different believers. I am still studying this topic to determine to what degree this is true. But there are also many people who have professed Christ yet have not truly repented. It is essential that we understand the distinction as it is no minor matter - the difference is heaven and hell!

The difficulty is enhanced because we cannot really know the heart of those with which we worship and fellowship. We can normally distinguish blatant sinners from true Christians, but dividing the wheat from the chaff within the church is not nearly as straight forward.

At this time, I am resolved to accepting both that there will be different places for God's children when the new heavens and earth come and that many other people will say "'Lord, Lord, open to us!' But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'" (Matt 25:11)

As children of a Holy God who says "Be ye holy, for I am Holy", we should concentrate much more on the side of obedience and making our election sure!!!

As brothers and sisters in Christ, it would behoove us to error on the side of exhorting others to obedience. When we fail to be vocal about the sins of our brothers, we do them a huge disservice.

I see easy believism as well. Matthew 25:11 should be a very convicting statement for all believers. Unfortunately many do not have a correct understanding of knowing and being known by our Lord. I'm all for erring on the side of obedience.

Deuteronomy 6:5
"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."

Follow that command and we don't have to worry.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.