Discipleship Letter 21 August 3, 2008
“Faith possessed must become faith expressed if God’s purpose for each believer is to be realized. Faith can be known. But unless it is observed, can it be real?” [Milfred Minatrea, Shaped by God’s Heart: The Passion and Practices of Missional Churches (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2004), p. 53).
Churchgoers possess faith, but they don’t express their faith, for they think that faith possessed is the end of discipling process.
Disciples possess faith and express it, for they understand that faith possessed is just the means to the end, which is faith expressed.
Jesus said, “If you love me, obey my commandments” (Jn. 14:15). We say, “We love Jesus.” We don’t talk about loving him. We express that love in obedience.
Jesus commands us to “wash each other’s feet” just as He has washed our feet (Jn. 13:14). As disciples, are we willing to “wash each other’s feet”? What it means is that are we willing to serve? Are we flexible in adjusting our lifestyles to adapt to church ministry and to carry out various responsibilities?
Just faith possessed? Or also faith expressed! You know it, and people can see it.
--Discipleship Letter 22 August 10, 2008
Disciples are saved by grace as well as grow with grace.
“Grace has much to do with how we live…The way of grace is a pathway of change. It is a pathway of change that leads us to depths of character, integrity, joy, and true friendship with God” [James C. Wilhoit, Spiritual Formation as if the Church Mattered (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008), p. 79.].
The path of discipleship is the pathway of grace. In a discipling process, we become more and more like Christ and reflect his glory (2 Cor. 3:18). The becoming becomes possible because of His grace. Grace is not only limited to being a Christian—saved by grace through faith. Grace is also available in becoming a devoted Christian—saved for his glory.
If the goal of discipleship is to grow toward maturity in Christ, grace must be the indispensable element that leads us to that goal. Who dares to say that I am what I am today because of my endeavor? Paul said, “But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me” (1 Cor. 15:10a). Paul doesn’t stop here. He continues, “…and not without results. For I have worked harder than all the other apostles, yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace” (15:10b).
Disciples work harder not to attain his grace but because of his grace.
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