Thursday, August 18, 2005
Fully-Devoted?
Last week, I attended a leadership conference put on by Willow Creek Community Church. This is a large church in Chicago that has done a great job at helping people find hope in Jesus Christ and grow in their faith. One thing I really appreciate about Willow Creek is their mission statement. The church's clearly stated purpose is to "turn irreligious people into fully-devoted followers of Christ."
Seems like that was Jesus's goal as well! He traveled around, calling people to be his "disciples." Today, we could use the word "student," "apprentice," "learner," or "protege" instead of disciple. Whatever word you choose, that word must imply some form of strong commitment and devotion.
Consider the very first church attenders... "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
Consider how Paul, a disciple himself, emphasizes total commitment to your communication with God. He writes to Colosse, "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful" (Colossians 4:2).
Or to Christians in the town of Ephesus in Asia Minor, "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children."
Or to his younger friend Timothy, he challenges him to "watch your life and your doctrine closely. Persevere in them..." (1 Timothy 4:16).
If we look through the Bible, we could find countless examples of what it means to be committed to following Christ in the way you live, think, and talk. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what Paul did, what the disciples did, or what your pastor did.
What about you? Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ?
My guess is that our country has millions of Christians but very few people who are actually devoted to Jesus in any meaningful way.
How would you tell if you are really committed as a follower of Christ?
Willow Creek would ask you if you attend church and participate in a small group. Most churches would ask you if you are volunteering somewhere and giving some of your money back to God.
But only God knows what's really in there - in the heart of you - are you devoted to Him? When I look at my own life, I know that's my desire. I also know this is a question I need to ask myself on a regular basis.
Seems like that was Jesus's goal as well! He traveled around, calling people to be his "disciples." Today, we could use the word "student," "apprentice," "learner," or "protege" instead of disciple. Whatever word you choose, that word must imply some form of strong commitment and devotion.
Consider the very first church attenders... "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
Consider how Paul, a disciple himself, emphasizes total commitment to your communication with God. He writes to Colosse, "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful" (Colossians 4:2).
Or to Christians in the town of Ephesus in Asia Minor, "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children."
Or to his younger friend Timothy, he challenges him to "watch your life and your doctrine closely. Persevere in them..." (1 Timothy 4:16).
If we look through the Bible, we could find countless examples of what it means to be committed to following Christ in the way you live, think, and talk. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what Paul did, what the disciples did, or what your pastor did.
What about you? Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ?
My guess is that our country has millions of Christians but very few people who are actually devoted to Jesus in any meaningful way.
How would you tell if you are really committed as a follower of Christ?
Willow Creek would ask you if you attend church and participate in a small group. Most churches would ask you if you are volunteering somewhere and giving some of your money back to God.
But only God knows what's really in there - in the heart of you - are you devoted to Him? When I look at my own life, I know that's my desire. I also know this is a question I need to ask myself on a regular basis.
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