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chapter 1 |
chapter 11
Discipleship |
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DISCIPLESHIP 07 SUMMARY: GROWING AS A DISCIPLE ISSUES OF DISCIPLESHIP G-d has provided that each believer who is born of the Spirit may grow in the Spiritual life. Learning Christ, in a general sense is becoming familiar with G-d not only through His word but also through His presence, to gain familiarity with His character and personality. We, in the process of time partake of His glory and His character. As it is written, we go from glory to glory (2Corinthians 3:18,)and from faith to faith (Romans 1:17.) We learn to hearken to the voice of His Spirit and respond accord to the way we are directed. I call this learning Christ. G-d's model for learning Christ is imitation of the first born Son of G-d, Jesus Christ. We are to model his manner of thinking, and his manner of acting. We are to duplicate his interacting with the Heavenly Father and his Spirit-directed ministry. The first disciples were given a living model but they were only able duplicate his Spiritual behavior after they had received the enabling Baptism of the Holy Spirit. RECEIVING
THE GIFT OF G-d (POWER FROM HEAVEN) Counterfeit gifts are a peripheral issue. The above reference represents the fact that there is the possibility of receiving a bad gift. These kinds of exceptions bear upon the setting and environment where and with whom the "ministry" occurs and the sincerity of the hearts who seek the gift. We have a common enemy, Satan who is always ready to move in to deflect the gift of G-d or to substitute a counterfeit. He does not give good gifts, nor does he give valid revelations. His gifts are not life giving, they give neither joy, nor health nor liberty. Yet it is possible that he will try to come in unless you exclude him from any part of the seeking and asking transaction Satan's gift is characterized as a stone instead of bread, as a serpent instead of pure food, something infused with poison instead of food. Jesus has portrayed Satan as the deadly counterfeiter who will insinuate himself into the seekers life subtly and at any opportunity. Forewarned is to be forearmed; for this reason, it is wise to initiate safeguards and precautions as I suggested above in order to keep the deceiver out of your life and out of every spiritual transactions. There was a time when our lives were entirely under his (Satan's) control. We may not think that this was the case but the apostle is very clear about it. A couple of apostolic letters bring attention to the nature of the unredeemed life, which includes each and every life before the renewal In Christ. Paul's letter to Ephesus, Chapter 2, verses 2 and 3. "Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience; Among whom also we all had our conversation (lifestyle) in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." KJV Paul's letter to Collosae, Chapter 1 verse 21. "And you, that were sometimes (before now) alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled" The
apostle Paul contrasts the previous unredeemed nature
our previous lifestyle with the redeemed nature.
In the letter to Corinth, Chapter 1 verses 10 and
11, he lists a number of these life styles; "-Neither
- thieves, - covetous, - drunkards, - revilers,
- extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of G-d.;
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but
ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name
of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our G-d."
Paul's Insights into the Gospel Paul
an intellectual's intellectual and a theologian's
theologian, set aside his worldly credentials
when he began to minister the Gospel. Paul
presents some of the most powerful insights
into the conflict of intellectualism and theology.
Paul experienced a total turn around in his
life. The features of his traditional achievements
were discarded as were the merits of his classical
education. Paul declared that the things which
he once esteemed and considered meritorious
were now no better than "dung". The
Holy Spirit drew a line of division in Paul's
life. He clarified the difference between
the fashion of this world and the world of
G-d. He revealed the matters which pertained
to mind and soul and matters of spirit; the
thoughts of the mind versus the intents
of the heart. Vanity
no longer had a place in his life. Personal
pride and striving for status was cast down
he was given another job description. A "slave"
of Christ. Next: Discipleship 08 E
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