Discipleship Letters 17-18

Discipleship Letter 17                                                            June 29, 2008

Matthew 3:8—“Prove by the way you live that you have really turned from your sins and turned to God.”

There is a difference between faith and saving faith. James points out this problem a long time ago. He said, “Do you still think it’s enough just to believe that there is one God? Well, even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror! Fool! When will you ever learn that faith that does not result in good deeds is useless?” (2:19-20) This is not a saving faith, for it doesn’t lead to good works. “Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire” (Matt. 3:10b). As Christ’s’ disciples, what kind of faith do you have? Any outward expression of that faith? Don’t talk about your “faith”. Prove it by the way you live. Prove that you have truly turned away from sins and turned to the living God who is merciful and yet holy.

Jesus said, “You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings” (Jn. 8:31). In the church, there are many true disciples because they know about his teachings and obey. There are also many fake disciples, for they know about his teachings and don’t care.

False spirituality is that disciples don’t care about his teachings, but at the same time they expect God to bless them. If you don’t care, why does God care?

--

Discipleship Letter 18                                                            July 13, 2008

“To think Christianly, with wisdom and insight, clarity and purpose, demands a Christian mind. But such a mind does not simply appear at conversion. Like our souls, it must be developed” [James E. White, Serious Times: Making Your Life Matter in an Urgent Day (Downers Grove: IVP, 2004), p. 106].

As disciples, we must love the Lord with our Christian minds. We must find our own ways to develop a “holy habit” to govern our minds. Not only do we read the Scriptures, but also Christian literature through which we are able to learn from others in the past as well as the present.

Do you remember what Paul said to Timothy? “When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my papers” (2 Tim. 4:13). While he requested from the prison cell in Rome, Paul made sure that he had the books to govern his mind so that he could use it properly to love the Lord and His Church.

Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God…with all your mind…” (Mk. 12:30). We love the Lord with our hearts and hands. We also love the Lord with our heads. If disciples follow Christ with their heads, hearts, and hands, wholistic Christian growth will follow.