Walking with God - an example of discipleship

Living for God in a Hostile World

Daniel in Babylon

The book of Daniel contains both history and prophecy. Its twelve chapters divide comfortably into two halves, six and six. The first six chapters are mainly the personal history of Daniel and his three contemporaries, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; while the second group of six record those visions that God gave Daniel setting out events that were, at that time, yet in the future. Daniel’s name means ‘God is my judge’ and succinctly identifies Daniel as a person who wished to live under the eye of the God of his fathers. It was also at the heart of the testimony of the three Hebrews who were his colleagues and friends. Because of their obedience and willingness to honour God in all places and under all circumstances, these four were used to bring the knowledge of the one and only true God to idolatrous and cruel monarchs.

Israel, as part of the Fertile Crescent, was always under threat of invasion by larger nations who wished to control that area of the Middle East. Their security rested in Jehovah. However, in 605 BC, the Babylonians successfully invaded Israel and began a series of deportations in which many inhabitants were banished from the land of their birth and forced into slavery. So we must begin by asking a question. How did Israel get into such a mess so that the bulk of its population were removed from their homes and exiled to a foreign land? The answer is to be found in the Bible. The Chronicler, who records the history of Israel, gives the cause of the captivity in his writings: “But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, till there was no remedy ” (2 Chron. 36:16). So despite decades of solemn warnings by Isaiah, Micah, and Jeremiah, Israel’s flagrant apostasy and immorality brought about the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.

From a human viewpoint, it seemed that the religion of the Hebrews had been completely discredited. Jehovah, the Lord God, was apparently inferior to the gods of Assyria and Babylon. When the Babylonians destroyed the Temple, they claimed that their gods were mightier than the God of Israel. Therefore, it was essential at that time for Jehovah to display His power in such a way as to prove He was the One true God and the Sovereign Lord of history. He had to demonstrate that He had allowed His ancient people to go into captivity, not through weakness, but rather to maintain His integrity as a holy God. But if Israel had failed, what instrument could He find to demonstrate His wisdom and power?

He looked for a man - and found Daniel

Let us examine how God took one young Hebrew lad, trained him and used him to witness to the then most powerful monarch in the world. We will also meet his three young friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.

Babylon and the Babylonians

In Old Testament doctrine Babylon represents the world against God. For example, the king of Babylon is used to typify God’s implacable enemy, Satan. Isaiah’s prophecy names the Babylonian monarch but uses language that can as easily be applied to Lucifer, the fallen angel, whose other names are the Devil and Satan. “For you (the king of Babylon) have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ ” (Isaiah 14:13–14)

The father of the Babylonians was Nimrod. His name comes from a root which means, ‘he rebelled’. The Targums (the ancient Aramaic writings of the Hebrew people) comment, “Nimrod began to be a mighty man in sin, a murderer of innocent men, and a rebel before the Lord” and “from the foundation of the world none was ever found like Nimrod, powerful in hunting and in rebellions against the Lord”. The beginning of his kingdom was Babel. It was a kingdom founded on apostasy from God and supported by tyranny and oppression. The marks of his kingdom were (i) pride (ii) unity (in rebellion against God) and (iii) the use of a false religion to oppose the true worship of God. At the time of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar’s pride and arrogance were evident for he was repairing and restoring Nimrod’s tower of Babel! So if Daniel was to stand for God, he is going to have to stand in a hostile environment. He will have to stand in a world that will make it as difficult as possible for him; a world that will try to make him conform to its customs, habits and views.

A little background information

Let us begin about 609 BC. At that time Egypt was in control of the land of Israel, and Pharaoh Necho put Jehoiakim on the throne as a vassal king. Jehoiakim was a consistently a wicked king. He cut up a scroll of Jeremiah’s sermons and burnt it. He tried to capture and kill Jeremiah but was thwarted through the intervention of God and his friends. In the summer of 605 BC, the son of Nabopolassar, king of Babylon, led his troops against the Egyptians; his name was Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah had already prophesied that Nebuchadnezzar would prevail, and Judah would serve Babylon for 70 years (Jer.25:1-11; cf. Hab.1:1-17). So the Egyptian army, led like sacrificial lambs to the slaughter (Jer.46.10), received wounds that all the balm in Gilead could not heal (Jer.46.2,11). Jerusalem was besieged and surrendered to the Babylonians.

At that time, while Nebuchadnezzar was in Jerusalem, his father Nabopolassar died. Realising the throne was in jeopardy Nebuchadnezzar took his troops the short route across the Arabian Desert, and was crowned king on 6th September 605 BC, only 23 days after his father had died. When he left Jerusalem in haste, he deported some prisoners to Babylon, sending them the long way round. Among them were Daniel and his friends. He also took some sacred vessels and treasures from the Temple, and he made Jehoiakim swear allegiance to him.

Jehoiakim, uneasy paying tribute to Babylon, rebelled, and although he was killed by other enemies within the land, Nebuchadnezzar marched against Judah once more. In 597 BC he again conquered Jerusalem, and took more sacred vessels and treasures, deporting more of the population. Among those deported this time was a young priest named Ezekiel.

Five years later, in 592 BC, Ezekiel, at the age of 30, began to prophesy to the exiles in Babylon, explaining why God had not only decided that Babylon should control Judah but had also designated Jerusalem to be destroyed: and why the Shekinah glory had departed from the Temple. The third military campaign against Israel which was designed to quell any further opportunity at rebellion against Babylon rule, took place in 586 BC when Jerusalem was completely destroyed along with its Temple. It was at that time that the massive deportations, involving the bulk of the population of Judah, took place.

Nebuchadnezzar’s successes were not down to his prowess alone but were the work of the Lord of Hosts. The theme of God’s absolute sovereignty is both implied and demonstrated through these events. Because it was God who gave the nation into Babylon’s power, it would be God’s hand that would snatch them away again, when they were ready to renew their covenant with Him and play their part in His programme of redemption. God’s purposes for Israel were to restore them to blessing and in accordance with His will laid out in the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants. The defeat and subsequent humiliation of Judah were part of God’s dealings with them as wayward children. During this black period in the history of Israel, those of the godly remnant needed to have faith in God and His purposes. Habakkuk, who had himself questioned God over His use of the Chaldeans (another name for the Babylonians) as a rod of discipline, advised the faithful to trust the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying: “... the just shall live by his faith” (Hab. 2:4).

Babylon is out to change you!

As we said, the first captivity included Daniel and his three friends. Nebuchadnezzar followed a policy of conscripting the most intelligent people to public service, even those of a different ethnic or cultural background. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were incorporated into the government training programme, the Royal Academy of which Nebuchadnezzar was the Principal. Babylon, as an instrument of Satan, had a purpose - to negate the witness of the people of God. Babylon was out to change them.

First a change of name

Daniel (God is my judge) was renamed Belteshazzar (a prince of Bel): Hananiah (Jehovah has favoured) to Shadrach (Royal Scribe): Mishael (who is what God is) to Meshach (Guest of a king): and Azariah (Jehovah has helped) to Abednego (Servant of Nebo).

Secondly a change of diet

Added to a change of name was a change in their food. This change was not just what they ate; it was also a matter of culture and religion. They were required to eat those foods that were forbidden under the Law of Moses being either unclean or previously offered to Babylonian deities. Similarly, they were required to drink wine which may well have been dedicated as drink libations to idols such as Marduk, Nebo or Ishtar. Babylon wanted to replace the diet recommended by Jehovah with a diet honouring Babylonian deities.

Among the Hebrew exiles at that time, it was widely understood that the two main reasons for the Babylonian captivity were disobedience and idolatry. Obedience of God’s Word as laid out in the Torah (the Law of Moses) had been neglected, and worship of the deities introduced by the wives of King Solomon had increased. Therefore God had activated that part of His Word (namely the Land Covenant) that dictated that such disobedience and apostasy would lose Israel the tenancy of Canaan.

For Daniel and his companions, eating the Babylonian food constituted disobeying Torah dietary laws, and becoming unclean by eating foods offered to idols, thus repeating those sins that had brought the nation under the judgement of God and triggered the captivity. Daniel wanted to continue to live under the scrutiny of God, as his name indicates (‘God is my judge’), but how could he refuse the direct commandment of the king? With great wisdom, and putting into operation the principle, ‘the just shall live by faith’, Daniel offered an alternative. Put us on a more simple diet of vegetables and water and observe the results. Their trust in God was rewarded by better health than those who ate the Babylonian diet.

Moreover, Daniel and his three colleagues continued in their studies and received from God special intellectual ability, not because of their diet, but because of His approval of their faith and commitment to His Word.

Here are four young men who were prepared to: (i) discipline their bodies: (ii) discipline their minds and (iii) discipline their spirits. Because they disciplined their bodies, God gave them better health than their diet warranted. Because they disciplined their minds, God gave them wisdom beyond their years. Because they disciplined their spirits, God gave them knowledge of His purposes, His will and His ways.

At the end of three years training in the royal academy, they were examined in respect of their abilities. Nebuchadnezzar, himself very well educated, was personally responsible for their oral exams (their finals), and found them “ten times better” than all the wise men of Babylon.

We too live in Babylon, that is a world against God, and Babylon will try to change us. Try to change our name – make us embarrassed to be called Christians. Try to change our diet – that is - change our Christian lifestyle, thus leaving us little time to read the Bible, little time to study the Word, little time to pray and also make it difficult for us to have fellowship with other likeminded Christians; even our honesty might be compromised. But for those who hold fast to good Christian behaviour and habits, and pursue a life under the banner, ‘the Just shall live by faith’, then the God of Daniel will do His part and bless. There is no guarantee that our health will be improved and our mind quickened but certainly our time will be more productive.

Discipleship Considered (Continued)

DISCIPLES WILL BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THEIR SERVICE

The time in which we live is sometimes characterised as a ‘throw-away’ age. Some commodities are designed not to last. They are expected to have a limited life and then be thrown away. You buy an umbrella and use it until it develops a fault, then it is disposed of and another is bought. They are not usually designed to be repaired. But the service of a disciple of the Lord should be in contrast to the ‘throw-away’ spirit of the age. Everything should be done in the Name of the Lord, and bear the mark of quality. Not only should the results of the service last but the worth to the servant and His Master should be of eternal value.

Previously we considered the rewards for service - the ‘well done’ from the Master, the position of honour in His household. But rewards will only be given to those whose service will survive the severest examination. They will be tested to the toughest standards and measured to the strictest tolerances. Only that of the best workmanship and the highest quality will be worthy of the Saviour, and only that which will survive the most stringent examination will survive. There is an assessment made of our service and it is described in much detail in the Scriptures.

THE WORK OF A DISCIPLE IS TO BE TESTED

We will ask a few questions to illuminate the subject:

(a) Who will make the appraisal?

(b) When will it take place?

(c) Where will it take place?

(d) Who is to be appraised?

(e) Why should it take place?

(f) What will be assessed?

(a) WHO WILL MAKE THE APPRAISAL?

The one to conduct the examination is the Saviour Himself. We are informed that “the Father … has committed all judgment to the Son” (John 5:22). What a relief this is! The One to conduct the assessment is described as full of grace and mercy, which is such a comfort to those who will have their actions and motives examined by Him. Moreover, He is the only One qualified to sit in judgement in this fashion. He knows all about our feelings, emotions, and desires, having been here and experienced life first hand. We are told He was tempted in all points in the same way as us, so we may have confidence in His sympathy, even empathy in some areas.

The greatest ability that He possesses to do this task is, of course, His omniscience. He knows all things. By being a member of the Godhead, He is equipped to know all things, even the hidden things of the heart. When the assessment takes place there will be nothing He will not know; nothing He will not understand; nothing He will not be able to weigh; nothing He will not be able to appraise; nothing He will not be able to judge.

(b) WHEN WILL IT TAKE PLACE?

When is this examination to take place? The Bible speaks of several future judgements that will occur after the return of Christ. Since all judgement has been committed to the Son this timetable was to be expected. The programme outlined in the Bible suggests that the assessment of the service of Christians will take place soon after Christ has returned for them.

When Jesus returns, all those ‘in Christ’ will be called to be with Him. “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thes. 4:16-17). It is after this majestic event that the evaluation of Christian service takes place. Paul hints of it: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Tim. 4:7-8).

The timing is, no doubt, dictated by the desire of the Lord to keep short accounts. By that, I suggest, that He will not move on to the next phase of our eternal salvation until all loose ends have been tied off. Our place in His future plans will be dictated by the results of the assessment of our service on earth. As Billy Graham said, ‘this life is just a dressing room for the next’.

There is another word that needs to be said at this point. All Christians are asked to live in the light of the near return of the Lord. Paul wrote: “The Lord is at hand” (Phil. 4:5). James wrote: “Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!” (Jas. 5:9). Let us always be prepared for the ‘trump of God’. Our assessment could be soon!

(c) WHERE WILL IT TAKE PLACE?

The first answer to the question, ‘where is the work of a disciple to be tested?’ is - ‘in heaven’. Since the Church has been taken up to be with the Lord, then heaven must be the location for such a wide-ranging assessment. Indeed, since it is to be of all those ‘in Christ’ who have ever lived, heaven is the only place that could accommodate such a vast company with such a variety of needs. Where else could it take place?

The second answer to the question ‘where will it take place?’ is - ‘the judgement seat of Christ’. This could be considered more important. Mentioned in Rom.14:10, “we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” and 2 Cor. 5:10 “for we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ”, it indicates that it is a separate appraisal from that examination that will take place at the “throne of his glory” where those living at the time of His return (both Jews and Gentiles) will be judged. It is also separated, in Scripture, from the great white throne judgement where the non-Christian dead of all generations will be assessed.

The word used for Christ’s seat of judgement is ‘Bema’. This is the official seat of a judge. The Saviour Himself stood before such a judgement seat before his execution. When Pilate was ready to pronounce his final judgement at the trial of Jesus he sat down on a Bema seat. It was from there he issued an official declaration of the innocence of Jesus. Alas, it was overturned when he succumbed to the pressure brought by the Jewish leadership. Nevertheless, official judgements are normally issued from a Bema seat, and it is on a Bema seat that Christ will sit to judge the Christian community.

(d) WHO IS TO BE APPRAISED?

Paul writing to the Church at Rome said, “we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” (Rom. 14:10) . This was also communicated to the Church at Corinth. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10). In the light of these texts I take it to mean, all Christians will have to face Christ at this assessment. All those that have enjoyed deliverance from eternal death, and entered into the benefits of salvation will have to give account of themselves to Him. In addition, the texts suggest that we will be treated as individuals during the assessment. The New Revised Standard Version brings it out clearly. “So each of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:12). “Each man’s work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done” (1 Cor. 3:13). This is not a corporate assessment of the Church but individual assessment of saints.

(e) WHY SHOULD IT TAKE PLACE?

The Bible suggests that to each Christian has been given certain gifts and abilities, distributed by the Spirit of God, and dictated by the wisdom of God. These should have been used to the glory of God and for the improvement of the Church, so that she (the Church) might be gloriously ready to be the bride of Christ. Among other things, it seems right that as stewards we should give account of our stewardship.

(f) WHAT WILL BE ASSESSED?

(i) It will be a judgement of works. “Every-one’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every-one’s work of what sort it is. If any-one’s work abide which they have built thereupon, they shall receive a reward. If any-one’s work shall be burned, they shall suffer loss: but they themself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (1 Cor. 3:10-15).

Note the searching nature of the judgment. “Everyone’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try everyone’s work of what sort it is” (1 Cor. 3:13). Manifest means plainly recognised or known: Declare means to make known what was before unknown: Revealed means to recognise as genuine after examination; the examination is the testing of its purity by fire, even as gold is tested.

(ii) A Judgement of words. Not only an account given by word but an account given of words. “In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned” (Titus 2:7-8). “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matt. 12:37).

(iii) A Judgment of our motives. “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts” (1 Cor. 4:1-5).

(iv) The special Judgement of workers and elders. “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:1). “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account” (Heb. 13:17).

Please note: The assessment is in respect of service, not salvation.

THERE WILL BE REWARDS FOR FAITHFUL DISCIPLESHIP

We have already partially considered some of the rewards that will be presented following the appraisal, but we will list some of them again.

The Master’s “well done”. (Matt. 25:21)

The joy of a soul winner. (1 Thes. 2:19)

Sharing in the joy of the Lord. (Matt. 25:21)

Praise from God. (1 Cor. 4:5)

A crown from the Master (1 Cor. 9:25; 1 Pet.5:4; 2 Tim. 4:8; James 1:12)

The Scripture encourages us to make sure that there will be no diminishing of our rewards when we are appraised. We must always heed the warning contained in the parable of the pounds. “For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him” (Luke 19:26). John wrote: “Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward” (2 John 8).

It appears that there might be some who will be less than prepared when He returns. “And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming” (1 John 2:28).

PAUL’S CONCERN WHEN CONSIDERING THE JUDGEMENT OF HIS OWN MINISTRY!

There has probably been no worker quite like the apostle to the Gentiles. Paul, though weak in body and beset with several ailments, laboured for many years in the most difficult of circumstances. Often beaten, once stoned, imprisoned several times and finally martyred, he is the one servant of Christ that you would say had no need to be concerned about the appraisal that Christ would make of his service. But he was …. He wrote: “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Cor. 9:24-27). Paul asks that we be faithful in the ministry in which we have been commissioned, even as he was expected to be faithful. “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:1-2).

So let us serve the Lord with gladness.

Discipleship Considered (Continued)

BE PREPARED TO WORK WITH OTHERS

We continue our study by considering the need to work with others. More can be accomplished by two working together - and this is further improved by a team of three.

(a) WORKING IN A SMALL TEAM

When Jesus sent out His disciples He sent them out two by two, fulfilling a Scriptural principle, ‘Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up … And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken’ (Ecc. 4:9-12). The greatest missionary of the early Church worked in a small team. Instead of being an individual individually led, it was a team selected by the Holy Spirit to take on a larger work. It began in the church at Antioch where there were a number of ministering brethren. To this group, the word of the Lord came, ‘Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them’ (Acts 13:2). It was in this fashion the first missionary team was commissioned. The two man team that started off the first missionary journey was soon supplemented by a third, John Mark. This section of Acts demonstrates some of the principles that govern Christian work in terms of a small team. In addition to gift and guidance that are needed for the workers personal walk and ministry, there is added a need for leadership, loyalty and harmony.

(i) Leadership: While Barnabas was the senior member of the team, (he it was, that fetched Saul from Tarsus to Antioch), it was not long before Saul stood forward as leader. At the first crisis of the journey, on the isle of Paphos when they were opposed by Elymas the sorcerer, his leadership qualities surfaced. Thereafter he was the one that led the missionary team and Luke, the historian, refers to the little team as ‘Paul and his company’. And it is after this first missionary journey that the church at Jerusalem recognised Paul (his preferred name for this ministry) as the apostle to the Gentiles.

(ii) Loyalty: If God’s work is progressed by a team, then Satan will seek to divide it. Therefore there is need for loyalty. The enemy of souls will often pick on the weakest link and on the first historic missionary journey, the decision of John Mark to turn back is relevant. The Bible does not tell us the reason for his defection but it occurred as soon as Paul stepped forward as the leader of the team. It was then that John Mark, a close relative of Barnabas, decided to leave. It impacted on both the first and second missionary journeys. When Barnabas wanted to recruit him for the second journey Paul objected. So sharp was the disagreement that Barnabas separated from Paul, and disappeared from the page of Scripture.

(iii) Harmony: The ministries of Paul and Barnabas were different to each other. They complemented each other and were not in competition. Their differences are evident when we read of the event that took place at Lystra. The naming of the two apostles by the residents there was based on the difference in their appearance and the difference in their ministry. Paul was thought to be Hermes as he was the principle speaker. Barnabas, who had a more commanding appearance, was named Zeus. When they were chosen as God’s first missionary team to the Gentiles, they already had a history together which suggested that they would be able to work together without friction and without jealousy. At the time the Church at Antioch was growing, Barnabas recognised the need for someone to take on duties that he could not fulfil. It was then he went to Tarsus to rescue Saul from obscurity, so when the Spirit of God was looking for a team to take the gospel to a wider public, they already had a working relationship that could be used by the Lord.

When the two missionaries were supplemented by other workers, they also followed the same principles. Besides recognising the leader chosen by the Spirit of God, and being fiercely loyal to each other, they also brought different gifts that harmonised with those of Barnabas and Saul. For example, they were joined by Luke, Physician and Diarist; and Timothy who was discipled and became a Pastor of note.

(b) WORKING IN A CHURCH ENVIRONMENT

Sometimes we are called to work in a larger company of people. While it seems that evangelism is best achieved by smaller teams, worship is a corporate activity and in the Church setting, many ministries are used to bring glory to God. The Scriptural paradigm is the body, expressed as the body of Christ, in which every part of the body has something to bring to the whole: the eye with its seeing, the ear with its hearing, and so on. The ministries that take place in the assembly of saints are different to the ministries needed to take the gospel to a wider public. When the Church meets together it is to worship the Lord and encourage and teach the saints. While the more obvious ministries spring to mind – pastor, teacher, musician – they must be supported too. As Paul and Barnabas were supported by many others so also within the Church environment there is need for support ministries – like hospitality, helps, etc. But here the same principles apply. There is a need for leadership, loyalty, harmony. Added to these is the aim that all should be blessed and benefited.

The Church, like society in general, is an organism where sometimes individuals are required to conform to certain standards in order to live peacefully with the others in their Christian community. When numbers are large then often individuality is sacrificed for efficient organisation. It is the view of some that it is one of the main problems of government. Legislation is often passed to protect the rights of the many, but sometimes it damages the rights of the few. How to balance the rights of the many with the rights of the few has always been one of the most difficult challenges of government. The first believers in Jerusalem faced this problem. The numbers coming to faith in Jesus the Messiah were enormous, several thousand at a time. The arrangements that were put in place had to accommodate the large number of believers and the early chapters of the book of Acts deals with the company as a whole. It says, all who believed “were together, and had all things in common”, (Acts 2:44) and “were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common”. (Acts 4:32) There is little talk of individuals – even Peter is said to have stood up with the eleven. The emphasis is on the corporate – but the corporate depends on individual ministries to maintain its health. If God calls you to work in a Church environment, do not sacrifice individuals on the altar of corporate ambition.

(c) BE COMFORTABLE IN YOUR MINISTRY

Joni wrote a song in which she postulated that God was the author of a great play in which we all have a part. She included a line which said, ‘Help me play the part you wrote for me’. We must understand our place in the body of Christ and not be pressured into conforming to any stereotype set by others.

God wrote a part for Saul of Tarsus. No-one would have said that he fitted any template for a Christian worker. It appears that he was physically repulsive – he praised the Galatian believers because they did not recoil at the sight of him. His bodily presence was weak. He had been beaten many times as well as stoned – all of which had not only left him in very poor physical condition, but also deformed. In addition, his speech was neither fluent nor captivating – yet he was a chosen apostle, church planter, and an extraordinary missionary. But there was no doubt that Paul had his place in the work of God. He defended his apostleship with vigour. At no time did he allow anyone to get him to conform to the views of others.

Peter had a part written for him. Jesus had bolstered his self-esteem and re-commissioned him. And how he responded! On the day of Pentecost he stood up and preached a message that was both aggressive and loving. Furthermore, he stood up to the Sanhedrists, and they were amazed because they knew he was a Galilean who had not gone through the Rabbinical schools, yet was able to speak with authority to the leadership of the nation. They recognised that he had been with, and taught by, Jesus. However, he did hit a problem. When he was at Antioch, visitors from Jerusalem, Judaizers, pressed Peter to conform to their view as to how a Jewish Christian should act, and tried to squeeze him into their mould. To begin with he yielded and ceased table fellowship with Gentile Christians in an effort to retain their approval. Paul, who was much clearer on the issue, rebuked him, and Peter recognised his error and reformed his conduct. He should have known better, because he had already learnt the lesson when Jesus sent him to the home of Cornelius.

Christians who make a difference know the part that God has written for them and are happy with that part. And in that knowledge they are comfortable with their relationship with Him, and have an inner peace. Those that have spent time in the school of the Spirit and followed the path mapped out for them by the Lord know they have a value to the Saviour. It is not based on natural gift or ability, but on spiritual integrity. Therefore they have a sense of self-worth. This is not the same as self-confidence. Those who wish to make a difference know that they cannot rely solely on natural talent. Spiritual ends are accomplished by spiritual means. Nevertheless, they know that God has chosen them, equipped them and trusts them, and are therefore comfortable in themselves and in their place in the body of Christ.

Discipleship Considered (Continued)

Discipline of the Will

1. COMPLETE COMMITMENT

If an athlete is aiming for Olympic gold then the regimen he has to follow will impact on every aspect of his life. His time, his finances, his relationships, and his career – they will all be made subordinate to this one high ambition. Similarly, the Christian has to make a decision in respect of what he/she is aiming to achieve; the greater the goal, the heavier the commitment. Jesus said true discipleship is costly. In this matter we must repeat verses we considered earlier.

“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”

Therefore, we must not take the decision lightly.

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:26-34)

These words send shivers down your spine. If we want to make a difference for the Saviour then it is going to require total commitment. The greatest example, as always, is the Saviour Himself. Three times He declared that He was going up to Jerusalem to suffer at the hands of the Jewish leaders and sacrifice His life for the sins of the world. His determination is recorded in the verse, “Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51).

2. NO TURNING BACK

Borden of Yale had a motto, ‘No reserve, no retreat, no regrets’. His commitment was total. Not only ‘no reserve’ but also ‘no retreat’. To those who were offered discipleship and who replied, ‘later’ Jesus said, “No one, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62) In a different context there is a Scripture that says, “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32) which seems pertinent here; that is, do not even look back.

As a sub-section of this area of the Christian life we have to say:

A DISCIPLE WILL SEEK TO BE EFFICIENT FOR THE LORD


It is clear that there is much to do. The task is enormous – of a magnitude that can hardly be imagined. We need to make the gospel known in all areas of the earth in such a way that each generation can understand it and respond to God’s offer of mercy. For a task this big we need team-work, with every member of the team knowing their place, using their gift under the guidance of the Spirit and making Jesus known as the Saviour of the world.

1. BE PRO-ACTIVE

This means – have a ‘self-starter’. There is nothing that encourages a Christian leader more than having someone in the Church or in the team who gets on with things. They see something that needs doing and they do it. Similarly, in the greater scheme of things, we are expected to get on with our ministry – we do not need guidance for everything. Paul planned his journeys so that he went to population centres where his ministry would be of the greatest benefit – this was the sensible course – he did not need divine guidance in that matter – it was self-evident. Of course, he was always sensitive to special guidance as when in some instances he was forbidden to travel to one area but encouraged to take on a different mission field, but mostly it was he who planned where to go and what to do.

2. SET PRIORITIES


Not all things are of the same importance – some things need to be done first. Work out a strategy - have an overall plan. If the Lord has given you a mission in life – then identify it. Keep it always before your eyes. It does not preclude other duties and other responsibilities but it will allow you to prioritise and do first things first. If possible write a mission statement. I worked for a University. Their mission statement declared they were ambitious to be a dynamic and successful centre of higher education with an international reputation for high quality teaching and research. Each separate department had their own mission statement, which reflected the overall goal of the University, and identified how they could further the mission of the institution by their specialised activities. This is very close to the Biblical pattern. There is an overall mission statement – it was supplied by the Head of the Church to the apostles who published it. Each apostle then had his own ministry that furthered the overall aim of the Head of the Church. This mission statement is expressed in different ways in different places, but essentially it is God calling out a people to be loved by Him, to love Him in return, and to share an eternal loving relationship. There is an expression of the mission statement in Ephesians 2 and there it declares that the apostolic ministries were foundational and Jesus Himself was the chief cornerstone. There, the mission is visualised as constructing a building fit for God to live in. Each later ministry was to build on that foundation. Paul warns us to make sure that we are furthering the mission of the founder of Christianity by building with the best materials for ultimately it is to be a dwelling place of God.


With this in mind it should be understood that all ministries should be performed with the aim of furthering the overall mission of Jesus. No room here to pursue selfish aims – they will not add one iota to the building but simply provide materials for a bonfire.

Even for those who have a clear idea of their mission and who are confident that it is promoting the purposes of God, there are hurdles to overcome. Paul found that he was constantly under attack from those who felt his message did not conform to their understanding and who wanted him to adapt it to accommodate its Jewish roots. However, He was careful not to compromise the overall mission revealed to him by His Master. He stood for the purity of the gospel and the unity of the Church.

(a) The Purity of the Gospel

There is only one gospel. There are not two gospels – one for the Jews and one for the Gentiles. ‘For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; …. for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross’ (Eph. 2:14-16). (The both here are Jews and Gentiles). Paul said, ‘If any man preach any other gospel …. or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed’ (Gal.1:8,9). Paul would not have others modify his clear instructions from heaven.,

(b) The Unity of the Church

It would have been so easy to have established a church just for the Gentiles. There could have been a Jewish church with its headquarters in Jerusalem, and a Gentile church with its headquarters in Antioch. But Paul would have no divisions: only one gospel and one church. The church he reveals is the body of Christ, and so he asks, ‘Is Christ divided?’ a rhetorical question with a negative answer. He expanded the thought. “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:12-13). And again, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28). Paul even took practical measures to promote the unity of the body of Christ by collecting relief from the Gentile Churches and taking it to Jerusalem when the mother Church, which was mainly Jewish, was in need.

While the opposition Paul suffered was of a magnitude that most will not have to face, it should be recognised that there are pitfalls placed in the path of all who would serve the Saviour. There will always be more demands on their time than they can meet. In some ways it is the strategy of the Devil – to keep believers occupied with the lesser to the neglect of the greater. Do not get quagmired with the minutiae of life. Know what you should be doing and do not allow yourself to get side-tracked. Sit down and make a list of the objectives that you feel the Lord wants you to accomplish. If they are wide-ranging try to break them down into smaller sections that can be seen to be accomplished. Be specific. Not all ministries lend themselves to this kind of analysis, but there are many Christian activities that do. For example, if the Lord gives you a prayer to pray, make a note of the date, and keep reviewing that prayer until it is answered, (the answer may, be ‘Yes’ or ‘No’). Either way, when it is answered you can cross it off your list. Or if you have a burden to witness to a particular acquaintance, pray for and speak to that person until they are clear about God’s offer of mercy. Once that is done you can leave it to the Spirit of God.

3. PLAN AHEAD OR SET YOURSELF GOALS


One young man, studying for his University entrance examination worked out how many hours he needed to revise to obtain successful grades. He then resolved to revise for two and a half hours each night. Dividing the total number of hours needed by the two and a half, he was able to arrive at the number of days he had to revise. Then committing himself to studying on six days of each week he was able to arrive at a date when he needed to begin his revision. Needless to say he achieved his objective, obtained good grades and went to the University of his choice. It is in this way that the goal determines the commitment. This principle can be used in Christian work. Within the overall scope of the tasks that God has given, it is sensible to set intermediate goals and aim to complete them. Paul broke his ministry up into sections – usually identified as the first, second and third missionary journeys. For example, the intermediate task identified for the second missionary journey is stated: Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing” (Acts 15:36). It was Paul and Silas that made the journey, but they departed with a clear, identifiable aim that not only could be accomplished but could be seen to be accomplished.

4. SEE THINGS THROUGH


Alas, over many lives could be written – ‘he started well, but …’. It is important to see things through to the end. Where would we be if Jesus had not finished the task given to Him by God? The night before His execution, when His public ministry had been completed, He declared to His Father, without fear of contradiction, “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do” (John 17:4). And from the cross when the work of propitiation, expiation, compensation and purification had been accomplished, He shouted, “It is finished” (John 19:30). At the end of Paul’s life he wrote: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7).

Seeing things through does not simply mean maintaining your ministry and witness to the end of your life but also completing the various tasks and stages in between the beginning and the end. When Jesus first offered the kingdom of heaven to the Hebrew nation, He accompanied it with many significant miracles to authenticate the offer. But after they rejected His Messianic claim, those signs for the nation stopped. The first part of His ministry was completed – He had seen it through to the end – He had given them every opportunity to accept Him – but once the rejection was made formal He ceased that element of His ministry. No more attesting miracles for the nation and no more clear teaching – He began to teach in parables, so that hearing they might not understand. He did not repeat, ad infinitum, the offer to those who were determined to reject it. Similarly, Paul went to the Jews first, but when they rejected it he said, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles” (Acts 18:6). Both, in the case of the Saviour and one of His chief apostles, they performed a task until it was completed and then began the next. Each was seen through to its conclusion and then they moved on.

Next Time: Working with Others

Discipleship Considered (Continued)

Discipline of the Spirit

We continue our study by considering the matter of prayer.

1. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

I am the least qualified to speak on this subject. For this I would direct you to mighty men of prayer like George Muller and Edward McKendree Bounds. But I may be permitted to write just one or two lines that may help. First, that the word discipline is less suited to this area than the previous two. It is true that we should make prayer a habit. Paul wrote, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thes. 5:17); and since there will be those times when you are aware, in the service of the Lord, that you are wrestling with principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places, that is, opponents that never rest, you have to resolve to persevere in prayer. With confidence in God, effectual prayer must be the watchword. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6). Sir Thomas Buxton said, “You know the value of prayer. It is precious beyond all price. Never, never neglect it.” Edward Payson said, “Prayer is the first thing, the second thing, the third thing … pray then … pray, pray, pray.” The prophet Daniel was aware that if you want to affect things down here, then you have to address yourself to the throne. The Bible is full of examples of people of prayer, including all the greats – Moses, David, Elijah, Daniel and Paul, but especially the Son of God Himself, our precious Saviour, the Lord Jesus. If His work could not be accomplished without prayer, then we would be foolish to neglect this wonderful resource that God has placed at our disposal. When the Lord impressed on the heart and mind of Rees Howells, founder of the Bible College of Wales, the importance of the exhortation, “Pray without ceasing”, he decided that, to be continuously in the attitude of prayer would require him to go bare-headed, everywhere and always, since a man should wear nothing on his head when in prayer. To our minds this sounds like a small thing, but in his generation he became a fool for Christ’s sake since was customary for all men to wear a hat when out of doors.

2. PRAY UNSELFISHLY

The weapon of ‘all-prayer’ as it is called in ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ is of such value that we aught to ensure that we use it to its best effectiveness. Many of our prayers come under the category of ‘bless me and mine’. These are not unimportant, but our judgement may be clouded when evaluating if they are directly in the will of God. Jesus said, “… do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:31-33). It is quite acceptable to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matt. 6:11), but perhaps it should come, as it does in the disciples’ prayer, after “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10).

3. PRAY WITH FAITH

This matter of praying ‘Thy will be done’ is of vital importance when considering the matter of faith. It is impossible to have faith if the prayer is not in the will of God – and it is impossible to have answers to prayer without faith. It seems to me that God has everything for faith and He has nothing for unbelief. James, the leader of the Jerusalem church, was a person known for his godly life and testimony. Early church history tells us that he spent so much time on his knees in prayer that they became calloused and difficult to bend, and when they tried to bury him they were unable to straighten his legs. So it is to be expected that he would have something to say about prayer in his letter to Jewish Christians, and he has. He remarks,

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord” (Jas. 1:5-7).

4. PRAY INTELLIGENTLY

The key to answered prayer is praying in the will of God. While there are elements of prayer that are simply the lifting up of the heart in praise to the God who has done so much for us, those prayers that require an answer are surely the ones that God has first given. In other words, prayer first comes from God before it returns to God. The prayers He answers are the prayers He gives. In this connection, it seems that an essential pre-requisite to approaching God in prayer is to read the Scriptures. Daniel was given a prayer to pray. He needed to pray that the Babylonian captivity of the Hebrew nation should be ended. How did he know what to pray and when to pray it? He identified it from his reading of the prophecy of Jeremiah.

“In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the lineage of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans - in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the LORD through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes” (Dan. 9:1-3).

This prayer was violently opposed and was certainly one of the reasons why a satanic plot against him was formed. Nevertheless, Daniel was confident that the prayer was in the will of God and therefore would be answered, even though he was threatened with execution. The Bible is essential reading if we wish to know the will of God. Even if we are not given a clear prayer task like Daniel, nevertheless the proper appreciation of the heart of God, as revealed in His Word, is perhaps the greatest encouragement for us to enter His presence and look to Him for help.

4. PRAY SPECIFICALLY

How do we know if our prayers have been answered? We will not if we haven’t made them specific enough? Scientists engaged in research apply all their knowledge in the pursuit of an identifiable goal, and make a note of every separate element of any experiment they conduct. Because they have been specific in their objective, they know when they have achieved it, and can repeat it, if necessary. Similarly, it would be right and proper to bring clear requests to God, thereby enabling us to know whether they have been answered or not. Daniel’s prayer previously quoted is a clear example. This does not mean that general prayers should be jettisoned. We should still pray, “Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10).

5. BUT ALSO MAKE PRAYER COMMUNION WITH GOD

The example of the Saviour highlights an important aspect of prayer, that is, communion with Father – enjoying his company and sharing mutual concerns. It would be impossible to imagine that when Jesus spent a night in prayer it was to bring a list of requests or plead for a response to his petitions. When outside the grave of Lazarus He was able to state, “Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me” (John 11:41-42). His prayer life was surely weighted heavily in the direction of communion with the Father. So should ours be.

Asking God for things could be considered minor if the essence of prayer is to seek God Himself. The basis of Christian experience is faith, and the expression of that experience is prayer; therefore the heart of that experience is communion. Disciples will find no better place to reinvigorate their walk and witness than resting in the presence of the Lord. Moses spoke of God as his dwelling place. Psalm 91 speaks of dwelling in the secret place of the most High and abiding under the shadow of the Almighty. Jesus advised his disciples to ‘abide’ in Him. We must learn to dwell in the multi-faceted character of God and then because we made the LORD, even the Most High, our dwelling place, no evil shall befall us.

Next Time - the discipline of the will.

Discipleship Considered 6

Discipleship Considered

Continuing in our series where we consider what constitutes discipleship, we again focus on discipline - this time the discipline of the mind.

Have the Mind of Christ

The Christian who makes a difference is called upon to have 'the mind of Christ', a mind that is not so much concerned with intelligence and fact gathering (although that is involved) as it is with character. Indeed, we are encouraged to exercise mental discipline, not simply to acquire information but to increase in wisdom to humbly walk with the Lord. Paul wrote:

"...whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things" (Phil. 4:8)

'True', 'noble', 'just', 'pure', 'lovely'', 'of good report', these are the qualities that must stand out. Let this mental discipline be habitual.

Paul speaks of coming up against those who, with a worldly point of view and ungodly rhetoric, oppose the gospel and the servant of God. But those with the mind of Christ and the Word of God are able to resist and overcome such opposition.

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:4,5).

In the Philippian letter, the importance of the inner self, summed up in the words 'heart' and 'mind', is highlighted even further by the offer of the help and protection of God. Paul advised:

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil.4:6,7).

This is protection none can do without, and this promise is of the highest quality - a real five star provision. The heart and mind of the believer under the protection of God - that's the kind of insurance money cannot buy!

Read Your Bible

Although the Bible is the work of many different authors over many centuries, nevertheless it is clear that it is a special collection of books. Those who wrote the histories, prophecies and biographies were inspired by God Himself; therefore God is the real author of the Bible. This claim has been tested time and time again and found to be true. So if God has taken the trouble to write to us, then the least we can do is to read it. And if we are to have the mind of Christ, then there is no more important resource at our disposal. There is no other record of the teaching and actions of the incarnate God that that recorded in the Scriptures. And let's be frank, if the Bible has been authored by the Omniscient One, it must mean that it is the most important book that has ever been written and we neglect it at our cost. A crisis in the early church put a strain on leadership resources but the apostles said, "It is not reason that we should leave the word of God" (Acts 6:2). They knew the importance of the Scriptures. The book of Acts describes the progress of the preaching of the Word in the following terms:

"... they spake the word of God with boldness" (4:31).
"And the word of God increased" (6:7).
"Samaria ... received the word of God" (8:14).
"... the Gentiles had ... received the word of God" (11:1).
"... the word of God grew and multiplied" (12:24).
"... they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews" (13:5).
"Sergius Paulus, a prudent man ... desired to hear the word of God" (13:7).
"And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God" (13:44).
"And he continued there (Corinth) a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them" (18:11).
"So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed" (19:20).

The progress of the gospel was measured in terms of the progress of the knowledge of the Word of God. How can we be true disciples, to witness to the Word, if we are weak in our knowledge of it? Let it be our meat and drink - let us read and digest it - let us obey and witness to it.

Read Christ-Glorifying Literature

How privileged we are in this current age. We have a larger and better supply of good Christian literature available to us now than any other generation of people at any other time. Men who walked closely with the Lord have written of their experiences and recorded them for our benefit. For a small sum of money we can purchase the written record of the wisdom of godly men and women. Let us not neglect the Bible, but also let us not neglect the words of discerning Christians who have trodden the path before us. We don't have to re-invent the wheel - we can learn from those who have preceded us. All of us stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before. But let us weigh up our reading matter. An application of Paul's advice surely applies, "avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing they generate strife" (2 Tim.2:23). By that I mean - let us turn to those authors who speak well of the Saviour.

Next time we will examine the subject 'Discipline of the spirit'.

Discipleship Considered 5 (Continued)

Discipleship Considered

We continue with examining what can be called 'the Discipline of the Body'. We have suggested that to maximise the use of our physical resources we should eat right and exercise right. In addition, it is important to rest, that is, we should rest right.

Rest Right.

Where possible, sleep enough hours each night to allow the body to recover from the exertions of the day. Proper rest is not wasting time - it is a vital ingredient in the management of your physical resources. And, if possible, rise early in the morning and begin serving the Lord while you are still fresh. When God gave a task to Abraham the patriarch "rose up early in the morning" (Gen.22:3) to fulfil it. Give God the best hours of the day. And take a holiday now and again. These periods of rest and recreation can be used to sharpen up for God. You will accomplish more for the Saviour if you are not always tired. Joshua's army did not travel from battle to battle, but after each victory returned to Gilgal to rest and recover, where they cleaned their armour and sharpened their swords.

During a study of the ministry of the Messiah I thought it would be helpful if I used Watchman Nee's three key words, 'Sit, Walk, Stand', albeit in a slightly different way, to divide up the ministry of the Saviour. The amount of the gospels that is devoted to the Saviour's ministry while He was seated is quite a large percentage. For example, it would include the Sermon on the Mount and the Upper Room Discourse.

Edwin R. Roberts of Princeton Seminary once sat under a pastor who concluded his announcements, "I am not going to take a vacation this summer; the devil never does!" Roberts went home and re-read the Gospels to see what Jesus' attitude is. He found that of the Saviour's three years' active ministry, there were mentioned ten periods of retirement. Whose example are we following - Jesus' or the Devil's?

Discipleship Considered 5 (Cont.)

Discipleship Considered

Exercise Right

We continue our study by speaking of the exercise of the body. Beyond the matter of diet is the matter of physical perseverance. Discipleship is not a short sprint - it is more like a marathon. Each day you have to say - I am ready to face anything the Lord puts in front of me. This is where the discipline of the body come in. Paul had to face physical deprivation and weakness on many occasions. But he was always ready and so should we be. He wrote:

"Do you know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things," following it with, "Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified" (1 Cor. 9:24-27).

The image of the athlete is repeatedly used in the New Testament. In the twelfth of Hebrews the competitor is running in a stadium with a great company of other athletes watching.

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Heb.12:1)

It is an endurance race that will be won by the competitor who has followed a training schedule that brought his physique to top condition.

While these various pictures drawn from the games, are used to illustrate and emphasize spiritual truths, it seems to me that they might also have an application in respect of the need to maintain the body in good condition. I repeat, bodily exercise is profitable - maybe not as much as godliness, but it is profitable. I would repeat my word of caution. No-one should embark on a course of exercise that would cause physical distress. If there is any doubt, let us not be afraid to take medical advice; this is especially important for those with physical limitations.

Next time: 'Rest Right'.

Discipleship Considered 5 (Cont.)

Discipleship Considered

Dear friends, thanks for your consideration during the time I have been away from my desk, but now it is time for us to return to considering something of the subject of 'discipleship'.

A Matter of Discipline

We come to discipline next. The word has many negative connotations, but we are not concerned with that side of the subject. We are looking at that part of the training of a disciple of the Lord that is expected to produce a particular pattern of behaviour, expecially that which is expected to produce moral or mental improvement (that is one of the dictionary definitions of the word). Our interest is in self-discipline that will improve our ability to serve the Master.

Discipline of the Body

We begin with discipline of the body. While this area of discipline in not the most important, it is not unimportant. Keeping our physical frame in the best condition we can seems to be common sense. It is our first and most obvious resource and we will accomplish more for the Lord if we are not limited by physical problems. This does not mean that those who are disabled are disqualified from serving the Lord. It just means that for them also, they must do what they can to use what strength they have to fulfil His will in their lives.

But please note - all we are considering are general rules. Do not embark on a course of action that will bring about any level of distress. If there is any doubt, please seek medical advice first.

The Bible says, "Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For your were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body" (1 Cor. 6:19,20). Among other things, this means we should eat right, exercise right and rest right.

Eat Right

We should eat right. In this area of the physical the largest issue, certainly in western culture, is what and how we eat. It seems to me that food has a part to play in this area of discipline of the body. The diets of some of those who have been used of God are described in the Bible; Elijah's and John the Baptist, for instance.

On the principle expressed by practical James, if you cannot love your neighbour whom you can see, how can you love God whom you cannot see? By that, I mean that if you cannot exercise discipline in the physical realm (that which is visible), it is very unlikely that you will be one of God's wrestlers in the spiritual realm (that which cannot be seen). If a disciple of Christ does not eat correctly, then it is unlikely that he/she is exercising right discipline in the secret place. In one sense, our eating habits could be considered a visible barometer of the state of our commitment. That some of those who were delivered from Egypt longed for the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic that they had left behind indicated their lack of commitment to the Exodus and the purposes of God. Certainly the Scriptures expect our dining habits to be to the glory of God.

But we will not make more of it than we should. Remember, God always meets us where we are, not where we should be - you don't have to wait until you look good before you can serve the Master - get started, whatever your weight or appearance. Nevertheless, from now on, eat as if you were in table fellowship with the Saviour. The plaque 'Christ is the Head of this house' has the line that indicates He is the unseen guest at every meal.

Next time - 'Exercise right'