Growing as a Disciple of Jesus Christ (Part 2)

"Apostles Peter and Paul" by El Greco, 1592

This is the continuing journey of my "Class 100" at Scottsdale Bible Church.  In my last post, from this class,  we learned about things such as justification, sanctification and glorification.  All big "biblical" words but,  as we learned, very important for someone desiring to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

In that last post, we learned that as Christians we live in "that thick middle stage of a believer's second life (on becoming a Christian) sandwiched between two thin slices of grace and glory".   Sanctification sandwiched between justification and glorification.

We further learned that sanctification is a process.  In Christ we are set apart and we are to move forward on the journey towards holiness. 

So...how on earth do we do that?  That is what we will explore in today's post.  Please read on...

What is the role of the believer in becoming like Jesus?

Romans 12:2, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

Colossians 1:28-29, "And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ.  And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me."

Ephesians 4:1, 22-24, "I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called..."

James 1:22, "...prove yourselves to be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves."

A journey, this act of sanctification, requires that we are actually moving forward.  We are not going to become holy and/or perfect on this journey.  However, we can certainly move in the direction of holiness and seek to become more like Christ.  This is what God, in His word, is teaching us.  Walk in a manner that is worthy.  Understand the things of God and don't let the "world" control your actions, behaviors and thinking.

At first blush, it is fairly easy to read these words and think, "Are you kidding?  Transform my mind?  This is all weird gobbledygook!"  However, having lived 51 years on this planet, I now understand.  I, for example, had let pride and materialism gain way to much control of my life.  After you live this way for..oh...20 years or so, you begin to realize that there is tremendous emptiness there. 

I was living my life as a "hearer of the word" and not a "doer of the word".  This blog is chronicling my journey. 

Why should I walk worthy?

1.)  It is a simple, honest way to thank God for demonstrating His love to me.

Psalms 70:4, "May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in you, may those who love Your salvation always say, 'Let God be exalted'."

2.)  Someday I will stand before the judgment seat (the Bema Seat) of Christ.  I wrote about this in my post on knowing God's will.  If I understood this correctly, this isn't God shaming me for all my past sin.  My sins are gone.  They are thrown away from God's sight.  As far as the east is from the west.  This judgment is God rewarding the faithful.  It is a reward ceremony.  I want to walk worthy because there is something deep inside me that desires to hear God say, "Well done".  We all like recognition.  How much better to receive recognition from God?  I don't desire to get into heaven by the hair of my chiny, chin, chin.

2 Corinthians 5:10, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."

3.)  The Bible is full of promises for those who walk according to his word.  Far better to live in His delight then to live in His righteous discipline.

John 10:10, "The thief come only to steal, and kill, and destroy;  I came that they might have life and might have it abundantly."

How can I walk worthy?

1.)  Be humble:

Philippians 2:3-4, "Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.  Everyone should look out not [only] for his own interests
but also for the interests of others."

2.)  Be gentle:

Matthew 11:29,  "All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves."

3.)  Be patient:

1 Thessalonians 5:14, " And we exhort you, brothers:   warn those who are lazy,   comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient   with everyone."

4.)  Bear with one another in love:

1 John 3:16, "This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us.  We should also lay down our lives for our brothers." 

5.)  Keep the unity we have in the Spirit:

Ephesians 4:1-3,   "I, therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live worthily of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

6.)  Put off falsehood and speak truthfully to one another:

7.)  In your anger, do not sin or delay resolution:

8.)  Do not steal from others, but instead work hard so that you may give to those in need:

9.)  Let no unwholesome talk come from your mouth, but only words that build others up:

10.)  Do not grieve the Holy Spirit by sinning:

11.)  Put away bad attitudes and be filled with graciousness:

Ephesians 4:25-32,  "Since you put away lying, Speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, Be angry and do not sin. Don't let the sun go down on your anger,  and don't give the Devil an opportunity.  The thief must no longer steal. Instead, he must do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need. No rotten talk should come from your mouth, but only what is good for the building up of someone in need, in order to give grace to those who hear.  And don't grieve God's Holy Spirit,  who sealed you for the day of redemption.  All bitterness, anger and wrath, insult and slander must be removed from you, along with all wickedness.  and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ." because we are members of one another.  And be kind."

The sanctification process is a constant battle!

Galations 5:16-24,  "I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don't do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Now the works of the flesh are obvious:  sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions,factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar, about which I tell you in advance—as I told you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. dissensions,

 

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
gentleness, faith,self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

God has given us Armor to fight this battle!

Ephesians 6:11-17,   "Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics 12 For our battle is not against flesh  and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,  against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.   13 This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.  14 therefore, of the Devil.   Stand,

    with truth like a belt around your waist,

    righteousness like armor on your chest,

     15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.

     16 In every situation take the shield of faith,

    and with it you will be able to extinguish

    the flaming arrows of the evil one.

     17 Take the helmet of salvation,

    and the sword of the Spirit,  which is God's word."

Phew....no wonder God's word calls this a battle.  This is hard stuff!   These words, frankly, intimidate me.  I am certainly guilty of most things bad in the list and fall far short of the good things.

Time to put the armor on and MOVE!  Will you join me?