Change happens slowly

When we talk about transformation, there is a sense that we do change quickly – from darkness to light, from death to life, however, our change or our sanctification is rather slowly developed as our characteristics do not change quickly. Seeking in fact is designed to pull us as quickly as we can stand it and then we see God’s grace and cooperation creating a different person.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.^[a] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

It’s in the seeking God that allows us to respond to God and for God to respond to us.

Again, we see the “old” us mocking the gospel and spiritual things and we see the “new” us loving and embracing these things. That is the only quick change that happens. It becomes our hope and confidence that will eventually become our own story as we live to be identified as a faithful disciple of Jesus.

Come to think of it, God is new. We have seen God in Christ as a man and to think that was the first time we have actually seen God. Jesus never pointed in the sky and said that heaven is up there as we often do with children. Poor Philip stepped right into this one when he asked Jesus to show the Father. Jesus’ beautiful answer – if you have seen me, you have seen the Father.

My takeaway – Christlikeness is what God is.

Seek the kingdom of God

Seek Ye First – Maranatha! Music

Actually, I am told that I also have to seek God’s righteousness too. The kind of righteousness that characterizes the kingdom of God.

That could simply be finding out what God is doing where I am and identifying myself with it.

Compare that with our church communities most common view of what the making of a disciple is. I copied this directly from a church website, it does not matter which one for they are very similar.

Our goal, as disciples of Christ, should be the never-ending pursuit of conforming to the image of the Son. We do this by studying the Word of God, but most importantly
submitting to its authority and applying it to our lives each day.

You can do this by:
• Individual Bible study, daily.
• Attending one of our Sunday morning Bible classes.
• Worshiping and praising God each Sunday as the Body meets together corporately.
• Listening to our Pastor preach God’s Word each week.
• Attending our Wednesday night Prayer Meeting and Bible study.
• Participating in one of our more in-depth, special topic seminars
• Joining in our other adult small groups where close fellowship, accountability, encouragement, and support are cultivated.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. – Matthew 6:33 ESV

Discipleship is a kingdom issue. It is a time and place where I submit myself to the rule of God in every area of my life. It is the pursuit and prioritization of the kingdom that is my chief concern.

The idea that it plays a role of being “first” in my life is important. Every day I make a decision to diminish the value of that word is the diminishing of the experience of God in my life. I believe the rule, authority and provisions of heaven can only be fully experienced as God’s kingdom standards are prioritized by me.

The difference than is just as simple – a disciple seeks God first or gives priority to God first. I do not seek my the benefit of my own welfare and God with the same or should I say, equal intensity.

When I do not, I find that I am relying on my own frantic efforts. That usually means I am expanding my energy fretting over material matter. There is a certain safety in knowing that God looks after me when I pursue Him.

Clement of Alexandria made this comment – “Ask for the great things, and God will add unto you the little things.”

I am called to seek, earnestly covet, put my whole heart into gaining the kingdom of God. I want His righteousness, to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to exhibit the fruits of this righteousness, and to become rich in good works. If I do this, I believe that this pursuit will stifle the care and worry of this life.

Servant

The Servant Song

Ideally, I know that I my should have the posture of a servant and that it should be a prominent character of mine. In fact, I believe disciples serve disciples – it’s a family thing.

I know that I have been challenged in Galatians 6:10 to do good to everyone – neighbours, friends, strangers and should I dare say, enemies. May I also remember their souls as I am doing good.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. – Galatians 6:9-10 ESV

Even in serving, attitudes matter – and that covers people-pleasing all the way to being harsh. Personalities make us either dodge conflict, please those we are serving, or give us a sense of power and control and offering correction with a sense of being a bit too hard. So have a spirit of gentleness and love (also from Galatians 5) we can serve far more effectively.

Brothers,^[a] if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. – Galatians 6:1 ESV

There is definitely a relationship between the one who teaches how to serve and the one learning to serve. I myself have not experienced this fully but I believe I get it. Even though it is not something I have experienced, it is definitely something I should engage in.

Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. – Galatians 6:6 ESV

As I engage in the world of serving, I do not want to do it alone, I want to bring those I am discipling into that world as well.

My last thought is that serving costs too. A warrior shows the scars and wounds received in battle, maybe received as tokens of valour and courage, for facing and fighting the enemy. It is our body, not the body of others that bear the marks of such a battle or can I say of being a disciple of Jesus.

From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. – Galatians 6:17 ESV

My call just took another deep dive as I look at what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.

Faithfulness

Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. – 1 Samuel 7:15 ESV

Simple enough words describing Samuel’s faithfulness in his lifetime to serving God.

Faithfulness is one of the key elements of the fruit of the Spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23 ESV

I think that healthy disciples need to be fruitful as this spiritual fruit expresses outwardly my inner nature.

What a difference between this and following the Law of Moses. It is the Holy Spirit that enables us to experience this kind of fruit – it is through Him that we have the power for holy living and for faithfulness in our witness.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. – Galatians 5:16 ESV

God is Spirit and he desires to walk with us and talk with us in the spiritual realm. To be a disciple we therefore must get into that realm and remain there. Especially when it comes to the ability to love.

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. – Galatians 5:13 ESV

Prayer has always been a way to stay faithful in our walk. I found this verse and took some time to meditate on.

Long may he live;
may gold of Sheba be given to him!
May prayer be made for him continually,
and blessings invoked for him all the day! – Psalm 72:15 ESV

I wonder if Jesus’ disciples prayed that God might speed up His good work? Could they have been so faithful as to join their prayer with His that His kingdom might come?

That is probably what faithfulness looks like – I need to look more like that in my life and I pray the Spirit may consume me that this fruit would be more evident in my walk with Him.

When there is no heart

Touch Of Heaven – Hillsong Worship

At one side I hear my strong and strict voice of law that states that if you sin you have no favour with God. Any short cuts or emergency prayers are not going to do you any good. In fact, to even think that God will step in is astonishing presumption and ignorance. On the other side I hear my grace-filled, loving and believing it is the heart that matters most. If the heart is right, God walks with us.

Interesting, because at the end of the day will my friendship with either one of these be true or honest and transparent? I think Paul faced this when he was writing Galatians.

They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you – Galatians 4:17-18 ESV

It affects our ability to lead and what our leadership looks like. As a disciple, will I look at my disciple-making responsibility as one where I take the position of being “holier than thou” and then lord it over them? See how easy that can happen. I have even seen this in families so it is not so strange. Unfortunately, husbands have taken their leadership role in the family and try to make pawns of their wives and children. So it is not far off to believe that a disciple-maker could create dependency relationships in order to have those they walk with under their authority. I need to guard against this.

When I see Jesus, especially in the Old Testament, like in Psalm 77, He is displayed as a servant. My life is about me glorifying Jesus and declare His doings and purpose and salvation.

My heart sometimes needs to be recalibrated and meditation is a great way to reconnect with God. Psalm 77 is just one of those great Psalms to put in my quiet moments.

I will ponder all your work,
and meditate on your mighty deeds. – Psalm 77:12 ESV