Silver

Not sure I like the context of how silver is made, and if Malachi is right, than God has become my refiner and my purifier if I ever have a chance to become silver.

He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord. – Malachi 3:3 ESV

As a discipler, I have come to an awareness that my life matters to those I disciple. I can either foster or repress the higher/deeper life of those I come alongside. In fact, those I disciple become the gauge of spiritual vigour or spiritual decay in my own life.

Whence does the Church derive her value? From her relation to Christ. The first Church was gathered in loving fealty to Christ. The disciples were His representatives. The bodily presence of their Master and Lord was visible through them. The world can never be converted by the world; Christ has given that great work to His Church. All the fitness of His disciples for their grave and responsible duties is derived from Him.

Job reminds me how much my walk with God matters to my children. Even as they grow older and have families of their own, he still prayed for each of them, especially as they went through different experiences. Job understood human depravity and he understood his children’s potential to sin and so he was found to intercede before God for them.

His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed[a] God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually. – Job 1:4-5 ESV

I pray that I do not take any shortcuts in my refining process so that my silver is pure and that others may be blessed for what God has done in my life.

Behaviour

I believe that I can learn all the things Jesus taught if I go to the roots of my behaviour. I will find, in the areas of my spirit, mind, and soul, the sources of those behaviours. I am also sure that not everything I do is negative. There is one thing I need to do and know.

I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you. Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path. – Psalm 119:11,105 ESV

Discipleship is rooted in the Word of God.

Teaching

The last part of the Great Commission talks about teaching others to do all the things that Jesus has commanded. It is not teaching them what they ought to do, but it’s talking about teaching them in such a way that they wouldn’t think of doing anything else. Therein lies the secret of the glory of the easy yoke and the light burden that Christ invites us to.

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in^[b] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20 ESV

This teaching is a continuous process, not with the hopes of knowing but rather to practice in the doing, not in positioning for orthodox opinion but right living. The teaching materials are Jesus’ own teaching, they become the standard of both faith and practice. They keep both the teacher and the student in courage and hope no matter what difficulties they face. Herein lies the secret of sharing our faith – it is shared with certainty and with an eternal point of view. While eternity is about Jesus’ coming again and the promise is our comfort, we enjoy an uninterrupted spiritual presence while serving Him here.

So I am to teach so that the one who has come to know Jesus may also teach.

Remember me

JESUS, REMEMBER ME

There are so many motives running through my mind, I think most are good, and some are “higher” than others, that prompt me to be diligent and faithful in my walk and work for Jesus.

Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God and for his service. – Nehemiah 13:14 ESV

I think there is a form of humility that I engage in when I seek to receive God’s commendation.

Is it not true that there is a need in each of us for our lives to have purpose? I do not want my work to be in vain. I look at Nehemiah and I see that even he understands that he has done nothing to change the people. Worshipping God is an act of God and only He can keep the hearts of people from slipping back into ruin.

I nee a better builder, we all do. I need ongoing discipleship. I need perfect purity, true sabbath rest and joy that will endure even in times of spiritual dryness and difficulty.

Thus I cleansed them from everything foreign, and I established the duties of the priests and Levites, each in his work; 31 and I provided for the wood offering at appointed times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good. – Nehemiah 13:30-31 ESV

Construction

Homecoming Kids – Kids Under Construction (Live) ft. Vestal Goodman

Nehemiah has one of those stories that bring out the metaphor of all different kinds of builders. I believe that I have heard most sermons setting me up to believe that we are all put into this world to be a builder and that I myself am the building. Now as someone wanting to be a disciple, a place where God lives through the Spirit, I have an eye on things a little differently. My faith, work, prayers, and even my watchfulness make me into a mature follower of Jesus. My resulting character reveals the glory of God within me.

If my character is really a building, there might not be no instant change or conversion. My foundation which is built where no one can see it comes before any building can start to take shape. Its excellence in quality results in a sound base. For me that foundation is found in Jesus.

My character is not made up through working hard at being morally right – that is me trying to put good deeds together – this without any Divine principles. This one design that I have been fashioned by is one that has been God’s blueprint for my life. It comes in the working life of Christ – it is the will of God. Spiritual laws play a part for sure as they provide and structure a righteous life. Those laws are clear – God is the centre and object of my affections and Jesus is the only way to the Father.

Christian character is defined by a righteous will, a purpose consecrated to God and acting in well-doing for all. My growth in character comes by doing, thinking and feeling for both God and others. I study these things in other heroic saints just like Nehemiah.

Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. – Nehemiah 4:17-18 ESV