“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘INCREASE OUR FAITH!’ … And the Lord said, ‘IF YOU HAD FAITH LIKE A GRAIN OF MUSTARD SEED you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it would obey you!’” (Luke 17:5-6)
Now you may have taught Hebrews 11 – the “great faith chapter” – 150 times (or Genesis 12, James 2:14-26, Romans 3-5, Galatians 2-3 or any of the other great faith passages of the Bible multiple times)… Yet this statement made by Jesus always leaves me challenged and intimidated – realizing that I have much to learn about a LIFE OF FAITH – the exercise of “BIBLICAL FAITH!”…
Anyone else identify with me? I want to learn – I want to discover what faith can do!
The “NEW REALITY” and “TRANSFORMED VALUE SYSTEM” for a Christian – one who is “in Christ”… “If then you have been raised with Christ SEEK the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God! SET YOUR MIND on things that are above, not on the things that are on earth! For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (From Colossians 3:1-4 ESV)
Sometimes in Scripture you come across a description that captures the distilled essence of a concept – potent, descriptive, and brief. I believe I experienced that today in my Bible reading during my time of “coffee with the Lord” in Colossians 2:6-7… A wonderful description and summary of “DISCIPLESHIP” by Apostle Paul! Here it is…
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving!”
Let me unpack that description just a bit…
As you received Christ Jesus the Lord… That is where “discipleship” begins – embracing Christ Jesus as “Lord” and “Savior” – a full and complete reception of Him by faith!
That reception leads to a “walk”… This is Apostle Paul’s favorite word to describe a life of “discipleship” – not a “ride,” a “flight,” or even primarily a “run” (and if a “run” it is done “with patience” cp. Hebrews 12:1)! It is a daily “walk” in/with Him!
Then growth and maturation are described: “rooted” (an agricultural term), “built up” (a construction term) and finally, “established in the faith” (terminology that reflects strength and stability)!
And then a favorite of mine… “just as you were TAUGHT” (Greek – didasko – a word derived from the Greek word “disciple”) … Not simply listening to a lecture or a “podcast! Rather a word that emphasizes the relational dimension of teaching ministry – “Just as you were ‘discipled!’ (or mentored).
And finally? Soak – saturate – everything with thanksgiving – “abounding in thanksgiving!”
There you have it “THE DISTILLED ESSENCE OF DISCIPLESHIP” – Now let’s be sure we’re doing it! After all JESUS COMMANDED, “GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS!” (Matthew 28:19-20 – “the Great Commission!”)
Coffee With The Lord 