Steps to Christ: The Test of Discipleship (Chapter 6)

So we continue today looking at chapter 6, The Test of Discipleship. This is really where the rubber hits the road because when Jesus diedand rose again, He did not go out saying, “Go make more Christians”, Hesaid, “Go, make disciples” (Matthew 28).

The question begs to be asked, What is a disciple?  Simply put, adisciple is a student.  Jesus is often referred to in the Bible as aRabbi, which means teacher.  Putting it all together, when we decide tofollow Jesus by putting all our faith, hope, trust and love into Him(His life, teachings, death, resurrection), we become a “student” ofthe Master Rabbi Jesus. 

There are going to be a lot of quotes in this one!  It is a greatchapter.  Be sure to read it and if you need a copy check it out at www.stepstoChrist.us! 

To know whether or not you are a student of Jesus, Ellen states, “whilewe must not trust at all to ourselves or our good works, our lives willreveal whether the grace of God is dwelling within us.  A change willbe seen in the character, the habits, the pursuits.  The contrast willbe clear and decided between what they have been and what they are. The character is revealed, not by occasional good deeds and occasionalmisdeeds, but by the tendency of the habitual words and acts.” Inanother one of her writings, Ellen states that it is not the occasionalmisdeed, but the trajectory of a lifetime.  A true disciple or followerof Jesus will notice that the rhythm of their lives is stepping to thebeat of a new drum(er), so to speak.  Or for you more methodologicallyconservative folk, the rhythm of your life will now be set to anon-syncopated rhythm. 

Reminding me of the passage in Romans 8:6 where Paul states that “Forto set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on theSpirit is life and peace”, Ellen continues to add, “Who has the heart? With whom are our thoughts?  Of whom do we love to converse?  Who hasour warmest affections and our best energies?  If we are Christ’s, ourthoughts are with him, and our sweetest thoughts are of him.  All thatwe have and are is consecrated to him.  We long to bear his image,breathe his spirit, do his will and please him in all things.” Withabsolutely no desire to boost in my flesh, I can honestly say thatJesus is my greatest hope, my greatest thought, my greatest desire, myfavorite topic to talk about, etc....  What about you?  Is He youreverything?

Remember when I said that there were going to be a lot of quotes?  Take a gander at these paragraphs:

There are two errors against which the children ofGod--particularly those who have just come to trust in hisgrace--especially need to guard.  The first, already dwelt upon, isthat of looking to their own works, trusting to anything they can do,to bring themselves into harmony with God.  He who is trying to becomeholy by his own works in keeping the law, is attempting animpossibility.  All that man can do without Christ is polluted withselfishness and sin.  It is the grace of Christ alone, through faith,that can make us holy.

The opposite and no less dangerous error is, that belief in Christreleases men from keeping the law of God; that since by faith alone webecome partakers of the grace of Christ, our works have nothing to dowith our redemption.

But notice here that obedience is not a mere outward compliance,but the service of love.  The law of God is an expression of his verynature; it is an embodiment of the great principle of love, and henceis the foundation of his government in heaven and earth.  If our heartsare renewed in the likeness of God, if the divine love is implanted inthe soul, will not the law of God be carried out in the life?  When theprinciple of love is implanted in the heart, when man is renewed afterthe image of Him that created him, the new covenant promise isfulfilled, “I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their mindswill I write them."* And if the law is written in the heart, will itnot shape the life?  Obedience--the service and allegiance of love--isthe true sign of discipleship.  Thus the Scripture says, “This is thelove of God, that we keep his commandments.” “He that saith, I knowhim, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is notin him."* Instead of releasing man from obedience, it is faith, andfaith only, that makes us partakers of the grace of Christ, whichenables us to render obedience.

We do not earn salvation by our obedience; for salvation is thefree gift of God, to be received by faith.  But obedience is the fruitof faith.

If you are struggling today with your performance, I want to simplyinvite you to give up.  Your righteousness is as filthy rags (see theprophet Isaiah).  If you think that Ellen White was a legalist, pleaseread these paragraphs again!  I re-quote, “He who is trying to becomeholy by his own works in keeping the law, is attempting animpossibility.” In and of yourself you cannot do it.  However,according to 1 Corinthians 6:19, “your body is a temple of the HolySpirit”!  This is only available for the believer.  What does thismean?  It means that the very Spirit of God actually makes His dwellingplace INSIDE YOU!  And it is only by HIM LIVING IN YOU that you canwalk as He walked.  AND with Him living in you, you will begin to, asthe Psalmist David says, “delight in the law”!  That is what Hebrews10:16 is all about, “I will put My laws into their hearts, and in theirminds will I write them.”

I could go on and on about this chapter.  Please read the book!  Let meknow your thoughts, questions, comments, prayer requests, etc.

Courage!

Matthew
from da porch
new haven, ct