A MOMENT WITH PASTOR JACK

Being a Disciple

19 You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for your anger does not produce God's righteousness. 21 Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; 24 for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. 25 But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act-they will be blessed in their doing. 26 If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

James 1:19-27 NRSV

You've probably had the same experience, someone wanting to invite you to being "born again." My latest encounter was when a pastor of another denomination had determined that since I am of an unacceptable affiliation to his beliefs I must not know Jesus. This set me to thinking about the differences between us.

The first difference is that I can acknowledge the validity of his relationship with God, while he cannot see that I also have a knowledge of God. This means that I can at times encourage his ministry while he has nothing to give to mine. Frankly, I at times see individuals who need a black and white, no room for wiggling out of commitment, structured experience with God. Because of maturity issues, addictions, and need for very basic areas of growth, there are some that need no ambiguity in their faith. Hopefully, when these people have been nurtured and grown in their faith the church will also let them grow in self-expression, in showing the unique qualities of their faith. But until some learn respect, self-discipline, and impulse controls, they need a bit tighter reins.

The difference is that we are calling people to be disciples of Christ. A disciple is more than someone who has experienced the joyful acceptance and love that God has for them. Having discovered a loving relationship with God and experienced forgiveness, they are wise enough to say: "OK, now what?" For those who are ready to stop doing things that hurt, and are ready to be part of God's people sent to bring healing the world; there is discipleship.

From the passage above we see that discipleship involves relationships. First, and foremost, there continues to be the relationship with God. Christ calls for us to live in continued and growing relationship with God our loving and holy parent. But beyond that there is a relationship with God's Word. This word is in scripture, in proclamation, and in conversation with mentors. Through prayer and through meditation we feed upon that word and grow in our knowledge and understanding of what God wishes to teach us. But that is only part of the process.

If we are in a discipleship relationship then there are times we see things that aren't right. It isn't a beat on our chests and cry out "woe is me" confrontation (though sometimes a little chest beating isn't a bad idea when it is particularly harmful to ourselves or others). But it is a realization that we are broken people at times needing repair, redirection, healing, or encouragement to do what is right. When we see ourselves in God's Word we find ourselves called to change and grow. Discipleship then sends us to practice, to work at being different, and seeking to grow.

As discipleship goes on we move to reaching out to the world. If we are really maturing as disciples we start seeing brokenness around us. We begin to feel a sense of anguish for the lonely, the weary, and those who live in despair. It isn't a judgmental, "I'm better than you." It's a compassionate, "Gee, that's gotta hurt. Wanna try something different that could feel a whole lot better?" Out of the abundance of God's love poured into our hearts we listen, care, and gently invite others to experience healing from God as well. So we would like folks to become Christians but more than that, we want Christians to be disciples. A lot of folks have quit making their way up the road and want their religion to make things stable, to keep things from changing. That's not what we're about. So hopefully you'll find yourself invited to join in also. Come, be a disciple.

Peace,

Jack