Christian Living
As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:30-32).
There are countless people who visit the church on a particular Sunday and after hearing the message and being convicted of the Spirit, march up the front of the church and “give” their lives to Christ. They pray the prayer of repentance and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
That is a wonderful moment for the person who has been added to the body of believers as well as for the believers who are blessed to witness this occasion. The new Christian is blessed indeed and their name is added to the Lamb’s book of life. Heaven is now in their future and the condemnation is no more.
But what about the rest of their lives here on Earth? Sure they are saved but after Sunday services comes Monday and the challenges of just living life. Amazingly, many people may get “saved” but few actually become disciples.
What is a disciple? Well the word disciple means to learn or find or to be in the habit of. Many of us seek the benefits of the kingdom but we have not taken the proper time and disciple to learn about the things of God and understand what is included in our salvation. We attend worship services as if we are doing the Lord a favor and gripe if it lasts a little too long. And some are not even aware that the worship as in Worship Service, doesn’t start on Sunday but it is the result of how we live daily.
Sunday is an assembling of those who love God so that we are able to hear His instruction from His chosen vessel, give Him the sacrifice of praise, and gain strength from the fellowship or koinonia we have with our Christian family.
But to move from being someone who is saved to walking in discipleship takes effort. It takes a will and thirst to gain more than what’s easy. It requires the denial of self and one’s own desires. It's how we grow in love toward the Lord and our fellow believers.
Being saved is without question good and necessary, but it’s the end. We borrow scriptures from someone’s sermon and try and make them applicable to our situation. But how does a person know if indeed the verse fits the issue if he or she isn’t a true disciple?
We want rest. Well the Lord tells us, Take my yoke upon you and learn of me and I will give you rest for your weary soul. We want prosperity and say, The Lord will supply all my need according to His riches in glory. But fail to realize the apostle made this statement in response to a group of believers who gave or supported his ministry and missions.
There is no doubt that God wants us to have His best. He tells us every good thing comes from Him. There are kingdom principles that work, but we must know what they are. We are told to be holy but how can we be if we are not truly seeking holiness? After there is a call to salvation, there is a call to learn. It's not time to put our feet up and relax. It's time to agressively seek the kingdom of God and His righteuousness. Enjoy the salvation because that's a reason to rejoice, but don't get satisfied with where you are. Seek for more in the Lord. More wisdom and knowledge is waiting but you must take on the role of disciple.
Are saved or are you a disciple? Your answer could be the difference of simply gaining eternal life in Heaven or one day enjoying eternal life in Heaven as well as abundant life today.
Continue to press!
Christy Poindexter
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A challenging article, Christy, and well said.
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