Discipleship matters...

“After this a lot of his disciples left. They no longer wanted to be associated with him. Then Jesus gave the twelve their chance: “Do you also want to leave?” Peter replied, “Master, to whom would we go? You have the words of real life, eternal life. We’ve already committed ourselves, confident that you are the holy one of God.” John 6:66-69

 

Not everyone who encounters Jesus will choose to follow him. Jesus spoke on this fact again and again, but it is still so easy to overlook, especially when we focus all our attention and all our energy into getting people to make that initial commitment. It’s there in the parable of the sower, when only some of the seed falls in good ground and bears fruit, while all the rest is choked by weeds, stolen by the birds, or withered by the sun (Matthew 13:1-23). It’s there in the story of those who call out “Lord, Lord” but not all will be invited into the kingdom (Matthew 7:21). And most tragically, it is there in the life of Judas Iscariot, who followed Jesus for three years, but ultimately betrayed him. In the account of when Jesus calls Peter and his brother away from their fishing business and fish for men, Jesus did not say to them, ‘Accept me as Lord and Saviour’, but he said to them “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19). We have to follow Jesus, not just believe in Him. And we don't go out to change peoples' minds about Jesus, but to make disciples. Even demons believe in Jesus, but it doesn’t change the fact that they are far from Him! James tells us that we need faith AND action (James 2:18). Faith in Jesus is not demonstrated though changed minds, but through changed lives! Romans tells us to “not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2). The fancy pants word for this is 'sanctification' and I love this definition from the Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology:

The generic meaning of sanctification is "the state of proper functioning." To sanctify someone or something is to set that person or thing apart for the use intended by its designer. A pen is "sanctified" when used to write. Eyeglasses are "sanctified" when used to improve sight. In the theological sense, things are sanctified when they are used for the purpose God intends. A human being is sanctified, therefore, when he or she lives according to God's design and purpose.

So to be sanctified is to follow Jesus, live like Jesus, love like Jesus and disciple like Jesus. And that’s a tough ask! Choosing to live your life for God’s purpose is rarely lucrative, pain free, or glamorous. It challenges you every step of the way as you step out from conforming to the world and dying to yourself so you can live for Christ (Philippians 1:21). It’s no wonder that people fall away. I don’t blame them, because it is so hard to wake up every day and decide to try and life God’s way. I want to be lazy, selfish, and chase after what feels good. And honestly, most days that’s the side of my nature that wins out. But for me, I can’t stop chasing after God, no matter how many times I stuff up or how many times I’m tempted to turn my back on Him and take an easier road. But like Peter, my response has always been that I’ve committed myself, and no matter how difficult and unattractive the road ahead looks, I can’t unbelieve the fact that Jesus died for me. Like Peter, I think, ‘To whom would I go?’ because for me there is no other option than Jesus. No matter how disillusioned I get about the state of the world, the suffering I see, attitudes of some who confess themselves to be Christians, how angry or scared I get, I still can’t leave him. I’m not my own anymore, I belong to him. I don’t just believe in Jesus, I follow him. I stumble and grumble along the way, but my path is set before me and I can’t turn back now. And my challenge today is to see others become followers, not just believers, in Jesus, because our whole body was created to serve him, and not just our minds.