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Basic Discipleship

The New Beginning

Salvation is not just a forgiveness from sins, but the power to not sin. God has called us to be holy.

Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. (Lev 20:7 KJV)

Likewise, Jesus said we are to be perfect.

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (Matt 5:48 KJV)

He also said,

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matt 5:20 KJV)

None of which is possible in our own strength. However, Jesus was holy, perfect and righteous. Just as our salvation comes to us by faith in Jesus, so, too, does holiness, perfection and righteousness. Paul said,

Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: (Rom 3:22 KJV)

Repentance and faith brings the new birth. Repentance is not a one time experience, but rather an ongoing lifestyle. We are to bear our cross daily (Luke 14:27), which is life of self-denial. The strength to do this comes from the Holy Spirit. Paul said,

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (Rom 8:13 KJV)

The new birth is both the end and the beginning of salvation. It is the end because everything regarding our salvation it is based upon the finished work of Jesus Christ. There is nothing that we can add to it. As Peter said,

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Pet 1:4 KJV)

and again,

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (2 Pet 1:3 KJV)

But it is also the beginning of our salvation. Paul told the Philippian church,

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Phil 2:12 KJV)

which does not mean you have to work for your salvation, but rather you have to work to live out your salvation.

The Disciplined Life

To this end there are five basic disciplines that every Christian practices to some extent or other. The root word in discipline is the word "disciple". Being a disciple means exercising certain disciplines to bring mastery in the subject of discipleship. Paul told the Corinthian church:

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. (1 Cor 9:24-25 KJV)

These five disciplines are the basis of the current fad in Christianity outlined in Rick Warren's "Purpose Driven Life". However, these are merely fundamental disciplines that only get you started in the walk of Christian maturity. To stop where this book ends is to remain a babe in Christ. These disciplines are only milk. The writer of Hebrews said,

For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Heb 5:13-14 KJV)

In other words, Christian maturity comes to those who apply these disciplines to their lives and learn to live in purity and to hate the evil in this life.

The Five Disciplines

These five disciplines are all intended to bring believers to place of knowing and loving the Lord intimately. As Paul to the Philippian church:

That I may know Him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (Phil 3:10 KJV)

These are the 5 basic disciplines:

Daily Prayer and Regular Fasting
Prayer is communion with God and fasting increases self denial.
Daily Bible Study
If you read 3 chapters a day, the entire Bible will be read in a year.
Daily Obedience to the Lord
This means daily repentance.
Regular Church Participation
Christ speaks to His body. Hearing the Lord means fellowship with the saints. Sheep separated from the flock are prey for wolves.
Frequent Evangelizing
This is the most neglected discipline. Christ is most experienced when one shares Christ with another.

It has been said that Christians who do not mature or backslide (that is, return to worldly living) have neglected one or more of these basic disciplines.

1. Daily Prayer and Regular Fasting

Prayer. The first and foremost discipline is to learn the Lord's voice and to talk with Him all the time. Paul told the Thessalonian church:

Pray without ceasing. (1 Thes 5:17 KJV)

God is the most beautiful and wonderful being of all. To know Jesus is to love Him. The psalmist said:

The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. (Ps 10:4 KJV)

Meaning that in believers, God should be in their every thought. God wants us to share our cares and burdens with Him.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Phil 4:6 KJV)

and again,

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Pet 5:7 KJV)

Just remember that when you pray, believe that He not only hears you, but will answer your prayer.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Heb 11:6 KJV)

Fasting. We do not fast to manipulate God. We fast to deny self and to humble our selves before God. Too many American Christians are fat and self indulgent because they neglect the discipline of fasting. Fasting is part of prayer, and not a quick means to lose weight. Fasting increases faith by destroying unbelief. The disciples could not cast out a demon and when they asked Jesus about it He said,

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. (Matt 17:20-21 KJV)

Fasting is not for selfish purposes. Fasting is for the sake of others. God told Israel through Isaiah:

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy re-reward. (Isa 58:6-8 KJV)

In other words, to care for the needs of others. The last underlined phrase is in regards to one's self in repenting from carnality. Fasting and prayer increases the ability to resist temptation.

2. Bible Study

Prayer, however, has other requirements. There are some prayers that God will not answer.

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (James 4:3 KJV)

One must understand and know the will of God. The number one means is through the study of His Word. The Bible is complete and finished. The psalmist said:

For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. (Ps 119:89 KJV)

His will has been revealed and all prayer and living of life should be according to that revealed will. Reading the Bible is a life long study. The entire Bible should be studied, and a systematic approach should be taken. A good principle drawn from scientific inquiry is to examine a subject for oneself before consulting other people's opinion. Commentary is useful, but can bias one's judgment in reading Scriptures.

Pray before reading to solicit the aid of God to help you understand what you read.

Read 3 chapters of the Bible every day from beginning to end for year and you will have read the entire Bible.

Do not be stalled by passages that you don't understand. The Bible has been written from eternity and speaks to all times of history, past, present and future. This is why it takes a lifetime to read. However, if you read it, the Holy Spirit can bring you understanding and bring things to your remembrance.

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. (John 16:13 KJV)

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26 KJV)

Supplement your study of the Bible with a study of world history, world geography, the history of Israel and the Jewish people, the history of the church, and some language studies of Hebrew and Greek.

The Lord will speak to you while reading the Bible. There is a common experience called, "rhema" (rhma) which is one of the Greek words translated as "word". It is understood to be an illumination of the Scripture by the Lord that He is highlighting for your personal attention.

3. Obedience

The Lord is good. He has only our best interests at heart. He told Jeremiah:

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (Jer 29:11 KJV)

He wants us to be like Jesus here on Earth.

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Rom 8:29 KJV)

And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (Col 3:10 KJV)

To be like Jesus is a life of daily repentance. Repentance means to turn. We naturally behave like the world and need to be vigilant in behaving like Christ. Paul told the Romans:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Rom 12:1-2 KJV)

Repentance is not the same as sinning willfully then sacrificing afterwards. Samuel told Saul:

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. (1 Sam 15:22 KJV)

Obedience brings the abundant life, with life and peace. Obedience brings the most satisfaction, because it fulfills your personal destiny. Personal obedience also impacts the lives of others.

Obedience is the ultimate purpose of discipleship. All mankind has been given a will which is the essence of life. The Lord works with us to purge out those left over elements of the will that come from the "old man". He wants us to learn to hate evil and to love good. This is proof of Christian maturity.

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Heb 5:12-14 KJV)

The result of obedience is the gaining of wisdom. The creation that we live in has physical laws, moral laws, spiritual laws, as well as laws of government created by men. Obedience to Christ and His Word brings success to one's life in the same way that learning how to use any tool the correct way makes for a successful project.

Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. (Deut 4:5-6 KJV)

4. Church

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Heb 10:23-25 KJV)

We meet with other believers to experience Christ corporately and to encourage one another in following Christ. God wants us to worship Him by loving one another.

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24 KJV)

We are members of a divine family which is built upon voluntary love.This family begins with your marriage and children. This is the center of the church family. The home is called the Simple Church. This expands to your community of Christian friends and your neighborhood of believers. And for those called to participate in the government business churches, believers of that congregation. We are to love one another with unconditional love and natural affection.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:35 KJV)

Meeting with other believers is the primary means of edification and training in our maturing in the community of Christ.

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: (Eph 4:11-13 KJV)

Learning the voice of the Lord requires obedience and feedback from other mature believers.

He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. (Prov 13:20 KJV)

God speaks to His body, and if you are hearing the Lord, then others will have heard something similar.

My sheep [in the plural] hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (John 10:27 KJV)

Your protection from the assaults of the devil is found in keeping close to other believers.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Pet 5:8 KJV)

5. Evangelism

One of the wonders of salvation is why we are not taken to heaven immediately. Or, why are we not given our glorified bodies here on Earth? The answer is that we remain to share the good news of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. If we were in our glorified bodies now, then God would not get the credit. We remain to demonstrate God in a fallen world.

Evangelism is the most neglected discipline in the American church. American Christians know we are to evangelize for it is the last thing Jesus said before leaving this Earth.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (Matt 28:19 KJV)

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15 KJV)

So, too many try to fulfill this command by giving to missions, but not in personal evangelism. We are to do both. Instead, too many Christians are concerned only with their own blessings, which is antithetical to the spirit of Christ. The very nature of the love of God is to be selfless. The very essence of Christian discipleship is self denial. And the most effective means of walking in selfless, self denial is to care about the hurt and lost world out there.

Furthermore, it is in laboring in the Lord's harvest, working for Jesus that one best gets to know Him. When one witnesses to the lost, Jesus manifests Himself to both the believer and unbeliever in ways He does not otherwise.

One reason, many do not witness, however, is because they lack the power. A large portion of the body of Christ has experienced the new birth, but say the miraculous power of God demonstrated in the New Testament had passed away. This doctrine prevents them from pursuing the power of God. Consequently, those who know that they are to evangelize, tend to do so in their natural reasonings and strength. But that is contrary to the Lord's will. Jesus said to the disciples:

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. (Luke 24:49 KJV)

In other words, they were forbidden to work in the harvest until they had experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Even Jesus did not begin His ministry until the Holy Spirit had descended upon Him like a dove (Matt. 3:16). World wide there are millions of believers who know the power of God today and minister to the lost in the miraculous.

EMail Editor