Deluxe version?

If you were asked the question: "Are you are Christian?", most of us reading this post would answer 'Yes!'

But, if we were asked: "Are you a disciple of Christ?", there would be a few of us who may be tempted to say, "I am not that radical as yet!"

In truth, the Bible speaks very little about being a 'Christian' (it is only mentioned 3 times), whereas the Scriptures speak a great deal about being a 'disciple' of Christ (this is mentioned over 260 times). 

So, the challenge is clearly there before us - we have not been called to merely claim that we believe in Jesus, and that a few committed people are called disciples - as if they are the deluxe version of the ordinary Christian. We are all called to be DISCIPLES of Jesus. There is no wriggle room in this decision.

Dallas Willard says - "If we intend to become like Christ, that will be obvious to every thoughtful person around us, as well as to ourselves." 

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" - Matthew 28:19

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Watch where you are walking

When you are out walking or running it is important to make sure you are watching where you are going. This is not just in terms of your overall direction, but also to be aware of where you place your feet. It may seem like a simple process to follow, but it can be so tricky at times. If you look too far into the distance you can step into a hole or catch your foot on a rock. It takes skill to keep both the distance, and the path, firmly in your eyesight. 

Is this perhaps what the writer of Proverbs 4 is suggesting?

"Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways.
Do not turn to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil." - Proverbs 4:25-27

Thought: How are you managing with your spiritual walk at the moment? Are you perhaps looking too far into the distance and missing the individual steps you need to take right now? OR, is your vision so consumed with a small step in front, that you have forgotten to look to where you are heading?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Being a beginner

Somehow, we have picked up the notion that being a 'beginner' is a negative thing - but, if we stopped for a moment, we would realize that this is a stage we all need to start from. 

You can't walk, until you have begun to crawl; you can't speak a language fluently, until you have begun to learn some words; you can't pick up an instrument and suddenly have the skills to play it perfectly. We are all beginners at some point in our lives.

Perhaps this is what puts many people off from following Jesus. We assume we should be able to read and understand the scriptures immediately; we think we should be able to pray like the saints; we believe that our Christian faith is a failure if can't perform miracles. 

In some ways, I feel as if I am a 'Christian' beginner, on a daily basis. I know that I should be growing and maturing, but then I feel as if I have taken many steps backwards. 

Thought: What about you? In what ways do you still feel as if you are a beginner? 

Hebrews 5:14 - Milk is for beginners, inexperienced in God’s ways; solid food is for the mature, who have some practice in telling right from wrong.

Living in Grace

D3LM3