Discipleship-a call to higher ground.
Posted by appolus on August 21, 2024
True Discipleship all comes down to obedience to the will of the Father,the Word of the Lord, and obedience to that still small voice of the Holy Spirit. All three are one and the same.So, as a practical example, if I love my wife more than I love Jesus, I cannot be His disciple. If I refuse to take up my cross daily, I cannot be His disciple. If I do not forsake all, I cannot be His disciple. ( Luke 14:25-33)
No amount of works can change this truth. For these are the infallible words of Jesus. Much of the busyness of Christendom ( and very few of any of the things they busy themselves with are in and of themselves bad, in fact most of them are commendable) are in no way a substitute for true Discipleship.
A few examples of commendable works would be, casting out demons in the name of Jesus. Prophesying in the name of Jesus.Doing many wonders in the name of Jesus. Again, none of these things mean anything outside of true Discipleship.
My list of works come from Matthew 7:21-23. Yet Jesus describes these works by these people as practicing lawlessness. Now why would that be? For while these acts are being carried out, in the name of Jesus, they are being carried out by those who are a law unto themselves, not disciples.
Immediately after, in verse 24 Jesus says “therefore, whoever hears theses sayings of mine ( the instructions on what it means to be a disciple) and does them (obedience and sacrifice) is a wise man who has built his house on the Rock.
Those who do not, will inevitably fall as the storms of life present themselves, for in their lawlessness, they have built their house on sand. In the end, our goal is to hear “well done good and faithful servant,” as opposed to “I never knew you, depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.”
A Call To The Remnant 
Discipleship-a call to higher ground. – Online Answers said
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Anonymous said
Glory be to God for always fulfilling His Word. I believe I see what you see in your commentary here. Amen and Amen.
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5-7
May God make His face to shine upon you!
carol
appolus said
God bless you Carol…….bro Frank
Anonymous said
Well spoken, Frank. One thing that impresses me about this passage of Scripture are the words, “I never knew you”. It appears as though God honoured His Name when they used it in ministry, but the “ministers” had no intimacy with Him. Reminds me of Judas – he performed miracles and preached the gospel with such effectiveness that the eleven had no idea what his true character was – “the son of perdition” Judas has too many modern counterparts.
appolus said
Such a good point, He does honor His own name. Reminds me of something Carter Conlon said, I’ll paraphrase…..God never performs miracles to elevate a man’s ministry, He only does it to elevate His name…….bro Frank
appolus said
Amen! He does honor his name, quite apart from those who use it………bro Frank
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Valley Ant said
I agree with this article.
I’m currently seeking a spiritual community of likeminded brethren. I’ve been seeking this for 21 years. Few indeed are chosen.
I’ve talked to many ministers about deliverance from spiritual bondage. They appear to have been successful at least a few times. But they tend to conflate busyness and especially ministry success with God’s approval or favor or pleasure on them.
I’m currently in Kansas. Where do I find likeminded believers who are doers and not just hearers? I have friends who also need this type of community and who are also suffering for lacking it. I would like to connect with such people and also connect my friends.
appolus said
Where abouts in Kansas?……..bro Frank
Valley Ant said
I’m in Wichita, KS.