Each morning I’ve been reading a selected reading from a Devotional Classic. This book has readings from some of the greatest thinkers and writers in the history of Christianity. One such modern thinker is Dallas Willard. The piece he wrote was an appendix to one of his books; he has since developed it into a book. I wanted to share a couple of thoughts with you from this.
The Great Omission from the Great Commission is DISCIPLESHIP. Our modern church has created a culture where someone could be a Christian without being a disciple. This was not even in the realm of possibility when Jesus sent His disciples out to share the Gospel. Now the Church talks about making converts, but not disciples.
Willard says, “But in place of Christ’s plan, historical drift has substituted: ‘Make converts (to a particular faith and practice) and baptize them into church membership.’” The bottom line is that becoming a Christian in today’s world seems to require nothing of you; it is barely a blip on your screen. But discipleship would totally change your screen.
A disciple, says Willard, “is one who, intent upon becoming Christlike and so dwelling in his ‘faith and practice,’ systematically and progressively rearranges his affairs to that end.”
My question for you today is this: have you had to rearrange any part of your life because of following Jesus? Next month we will study Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount calling it His “Inauguration Speech for the Kingdom of God.” In it He outlines some things that, if followed, would be truly life altering. Are we ready to consider this? Are we willing to make changes in our lifestyle if God calls us to?
I’ve been chewing on this for a week or so…I hope you will too!
Under the Mercy,
Jason
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