Bible Studies

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The Sophomore’s Rut Part 5

Just as many folks seek relief or the type of alternative entertainment available at the local bars, many believers go to Church to be entertained; have a little time for “me” to be away from one’s problems, and maybe do a little socializing. That is if the pastor doesn’t “rain on their parade “ by coming out with one of those sermons that upsets or challenges them personally.

With my “double-barreled”, telling it like it is style of teaching, I find myself in the penthouse one day getting pats on the back, and in the dog house the next, when the presentations challenge the recipients.

I can relate to Paul who asked, “So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth (Gal. 4: 16 NASB2020)?”

He, as will all advancing disciples, learned the Gal. 1: 10 principle.

“If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a bond- servant of Christ (Gal. 1: 10 NASB2020).”

Jesus was a caring and compassionate individual, but that didn't stop Him from telling the truth, even when it meant personal rejection.

“As a result, many of His disciples left, and would no longer walk with Him (John 6: 66 NASB2020).”

Every Heaven bound, born-again believer fits somewhere in this five -part presentation.

Some are advancing disciples. Some have not yet embraced the post salvation spiritual life of discipleship. Some never will. Some began, but turned back (Mark 4: 19), satisfied to know they are saved (Rom. 8: 1), and have no desire to pay the cost of discipleship (2Tim. 3:12/Luke 14: 26) required of them to move forward in the plan of God.

“After all,” the devil whispers, “since salvation cannot be lost (Rom.8: 1), why be bothered with all the challenges (Luke 14: 26) and adversity (2Tim. 3: 12) that this discipleship stuff is sure to generate?” Do things my way, and I will give you much of what you want.

Of course he does not mention the hidden costs of that decision (Heb. 12: 6/Mark 8:36).

One of the Biblical answers to this “being bothered” question is found in Luke 9: 62. “

Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God (Luke 9: 62 NASB2020).”

Note that He was speaking of discipleship (service) and not the loss of salvation.

The plowman had to keep his eye on the row ahead of him if the field was going to have the desired straight and parallel furrows for planting and irrigation. Looking back or all around would cause the plowing to go off course and fail to produce the desired effect.

This can happen to an advancing disciple who is distracted (Mark 4: 19), or takes his focus of attention off the course (plan/work) that God has in mind for him or her to accomplish.

Before rejecting or abandoning the call to post salvation Biblical discipleship, just take a moment and consider where we would ALL be, or headed for, if Jesus had asked the Father to send the available legions of angels to rescue Him (Matt. 26: 53), and then left this world before accomplishing His atoning work on the cross (1John 2: 2).

Should we be any less committed to the post salvation work (Matt. 28: 19, 20) that the One who died for us has given us to do?

Jonah didn’t want to take the next step in the individual plan that God had in mind for him (See OT book of Jonah), and brought on a disastrous situation for himself and others, before getting his own act together and moving forward in the plan of God.

In closing, ask and answer for yourself the following question. . .

Where ever I presently am in my post salvation spiritual life, am I moving forward or am I stuck in a rut?

End of Part Five

End of Series

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