Discipleship Considered 2

Discipleship Considered 2

Why Should We Become Disciples?

Here are some suggestions to answer the question, ‘Why should I become a disciple of Christ?’ – they are in no particular order.

1. For Love of the Saviour

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son” (John 3:16). Love is expressed, not simply in words, but also in actions – God loved – so He gave. Similarly, Jesus expressed His love for a lost humanity by His actions. “Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Eph. 5:2 (NRSV)). In like manner, we serve Him, because we love Him, and we love Him because He first loved us.

Rabbinic Judaism offers a place of honour and dignity in the coming kingdom for those who follow the routines laid down for them. There are set prayers and times for fasting. The food they eat, the way they cook, the dishes they use, the way they dress, all have to be in conformity to the published code. There are regulations that impact on every facet of Jewish life. But if you ask them why they do it – they will first respond – ‘it is in this way I can show my love for God’. This is excellent motivation. And this must be one of the most important elements in our discipleship. We do it because we love Him.

2. To be worthy of the One who saved us

To be the bride of Christ is the destiny of the Church. Now espoused to Him (2 Cor. 11:2), she is by and by to be presented by Him to Himself (Eph. 5:27). As the future bride of Christ we have a high destiny, and those who are true disciples long to be united to their Lord. As a bride prepares herself for her wedding day by making sure everything is as perfect as can be, so they, by performing acts of service that reflect the Spirit of the Saviour, are transformed from one state of glory into another, thus being conformed to His image and so being made compatible with the God they adore. Paul expressed it perfectly. “But we all … are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:18).

3. To Glorify God

Paul wrote: “… whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). Christians for centuries have sought to follow this advice. The Westminster shorter catechism asks the question, “What is the chief end of man?” and gives the answer, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever”. It supports the first half of this answer (man’s chief end is to glorify God) with the following proof texts:

“I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore” (Ps. 86:12).

“Also your people shall all be righteous; They shall inherit the land forever, The branch of My planting, The work of My hands, That I may be glorified” (Isa. 60:21).

“For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen” (Rom. 11:36).

“For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:20).

“You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honour and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created” (Rev. 4:11).

As Christians, we recognise that God is working His purposes out in accordance with His own will. This is designed to redound to His glory. One day all creation will join the heavenly host to sing, ‘Glory to God in the highest’. In the meantime, we have the opportunity to recognise this overarching aim of God, and seek to promote it. In this matter we must embrace an essential principle, that while God is prepared to bless us, and be kind to us, He is not our servant. He is working in His own way towards His own ends. Man is not the centre of the universe – God is. And our own experience will be greatly enriched if we recognise this. Ptolemy’s model of the solar system had the sun revolving around the earth. While this held sway, some scientific disciplines were unable to advance. Copernicus’ model put the earth in orbit around the sun. This was a great step forward and science benefited substantially. Worldliness follows Ptolemy’s model and puts man at the centre – but godliness follows the model of Copernicus and puts God at the centre. If we are able to place God at the centre of our lives, to realise He does not revolve around us, but we around Him, then much will fall into place. This is certainly a Biblical concept, and since He is a beneficent God, then all things will work together for good. Let us not be like Ptolemy and make earth central – that path leads to discouragement and difficulty. We must be like Copernicus and make heaven (the sun) central, and then all things will fit in their proper place. Then we will be embracing Paul’s injunction to do all things to the glory to God.

More next time