The Challenge of discipleship

Over the last month I have been hearing messages regarding discipleship and why it is a critical part of church health and growth. There is one thing that stands out for me at least as I listen to Pastor Roland and Pastor Jeremy, and that is the act of moving into the unknown.

P.R. talked about Pentecost and the adjustments of the church as they were filled with the Holy Spirit. P.J. talked about Philip leaving a successful revival campaign in Samaria (brought about as a result of persecution in Jerusalem), with the instruction to head to the deserted road that leads to Gaza. Both acts that lead to unknown ends, but in accordance with God's will. Once they stepped out in faith and obedience, God moved in ways they would have never imagined on their own.

Faith and obedience, two very powerful words as well as actions. Dietrich Bonhoeffer,(quickly becoming my favorite theologian) puts it a couple ways. He states that: 'there is no other path to faith than obedience to Jesus' call.' Meaning you have to be obedient to God's call in order to know faith, but you must step out in faith to God's call, and that produces obedience. You cannot have one without the other. If you do you are operating in your own strength and attitude.

Second, he talks about obedience and belief. He makes this statement that: 'only believers obey, and only the obedient believes.' The example he uses in his book Discipleship is that of Peter stepping out of the boat. Peter could have gotten out of the boat all on his own, believing that Jesus would keep him afloat, but would he be obedient? If Jesus had not called, Peter although believing, would then be in disobedience. Profound.

We often do exactally that. we feel we must do something for God and run about doing "stuff", while not seeking to find God and his will. Not that the "stuff" is bad, just that it is not God's will. On the other side of the coin, we tend to not step out when God calls because we do not know what lay in store for us. Thus, not having faith enough in the one who calls.

Ultimatly we all must trust God with the details and the end result. The key is to find God's will for ourselves and step into it. For it is in that moment that faith, obedience and belief converge and God shows up to do some awesome things. The first of which is to make himself known to those who do not know him, through those of us who by faith and belief in him who called, have stepped out in obedience to begin to disciple those he leads us to.

Remember it's never us, it is always Christ in us the hope of Glory.