Movements in Christian Life

I use to think that at the pinnacle of the Christian faith is one's willingness to lay down his life for the Lord. But today, i felt God showed me something that really blew my mind. At the same time, it made a lot of sense. The Christian life is a movement from:

• self centered to Christ centeredness
• selfishness to love
• falsehood to truth
• slavery to freedom
• rebelliousness to obedience

Now i know that martyrdom is nothing if there is no love. Yet, love in his fullest form is the willingness to give his or her life for the sake of others.

Ultimate Test

This is one of those days. I got up with a thought in my mind. "its ultimately about obedience." I am thinking about discipleship. What makes a true believer? Not the "True Jesus Church" but with what one does with God's command. Anyone who wants to be a believer cannot run away from the demands of the gospel.

I guess that is why at the end of it all Jesus says not everyone who calls him Lord, Lord will enter the Kingdom of God. Only those who obeys His Word.

Having said this, i must also add a word of caution. Obedience is not something that comes natural to many of us. Frankly speaking, most of us struggle and even fail miserable at the task of obeying God. Maybe, this is why the scripture tells us that we need the help of the Holy Spirit (Phil. 2:13).

Discipleship

On this weekend, our church leadership will be involve in a planning retreat. One of the key area of focus is discipleship. I remember Howard Hendricks once asked the question, "what does a disciple look like." I know that the question sounds simple and easy, but give some thought to it. How do disciples look like? Would you know one, if you bump into them? What picture can we paint about a disciple? How do you produce them?

Jesus said, "go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything i have commanded you."