Category Archives: Discipleship

Discipleship, Worldview & Truth

A Conspiratorial Worldview

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Conspiracies seem to be popping up with growing frequency these days, and to be honest, many of them seem quite credible.  But recently I felt cautioned by the Lord to avoid the trap of a “conspiratorial worldview.”  It’s a little nuanced, but let me explain.  

Our worldview is revealed by the way we answer the most foundational questions of life:

• Who is God?   
• Who is man? 
• What’s the problem with the world? 
• How can the world be fixed?  

It’s the third question, “What’s wrong with the world?” that can lead us astray.  Politicians, pundits, and podcasters often identify people and groups as the problem: Palestinians, Israelis, Communists, political parties, secret societies,  globalists, the Deep State, the media, blacks, whites, immigrants, and the list goes on …  It’s a subtle temptation to scapegoat, and begin thinking “If we could just eliminate these people the world would begin to heal.”

To be clear, people and groups can and do complicate our problems, but according to the scriptures these are not at the root.  The real problem with the world is sin: that cursed rebellion and blindness that wars in each of our hearts, including my own.  The writer of Genesis tells us that “sin is crouching at the door.”  *  

To identify groups and people as the problem is to miss the truth and open the door to resentment and blame.  

It’s the easiest thing in the world to fall into subtle anger and bitterness towards others: Racism, political enmities, antisemitism, phobias and bigotries of every sort.  Hostility will never solve our social problems.  It only pollutes and poisons what might have been redemptive.  “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and abuse you.” * Redemption and change will happen only when we embrace the love of Jesus.

Likewise, blame is no less destructive.  It deflects the focus from our own culpability and kicks it into the court of others.  “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” *  The only way forward happens when each of us recognizes our own sin. The problem with the world is not “out there” in others, but rather hiding in my own heart.        

In the worldview of Jesus, (who actually created the world, and knows exactly what the problem is), our task is to differentiate between people and sin: hate the sin and love the sinner.  


* Genesis 4:7
* Matthew 5:44
* Matthew 7:3

Discipleship, The Kingdom

The Kitchen Door

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Did you know that when Jesus reminded the multitude that they were “the light of the world, a city set on a hill”, and “the salt of the earth” He was not speaking to born-again Christians, but to a motley crowd of Galileans? (After all, He had neither died on the cross, nor been resurrected at that point). And do we also realize that when he declared, “The Kingdom of God is within you”, (Luke 17:20-21), He was speaking not to his disciples, but to Pharisees?

So what’s going on here? Certainly Jesus wasn’t confused. These were human beings he had brought into existence, and He knew them better than they knew themselves. But perhaps this is a key to understanding. Unlike today’s church, which typically begins the gospel with a declaration of our sin and rebellion, Jesus seems to be going round the kitchen door and making his entrance from the other side. The truth is, we were designed for the Kingdom, and most people have at least a faint awareness that yes, there must be more.

Paul tapped into this pattern in Acts 17:28 when he declared to the pagan men of Athens that “We are God’s children.” Do we see that sometimes people, even unbelievers respond to a tender reminder of their design? Maybe this “kitchen door” approach calls more upon the heart, and less upon the conscience. This in no way diminishes our need to “turn and believe,” but it’s rather a hardware / software issue. The hardware of the human race is designed for destiny. That’s who we are, and there are faint echos of that strewn across the consciousness of the human race. But we have a software issue, a need for an operating system of faith in the One who designed us. Only turning to Jesus will activate the life and light of our design.

To call upon that part of man that deep-down knows he was created for significance can be a powerful tool for bringing our friends to faith. In the moving words of Fanny Crosby, “Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter, feelings lie buried that grace can restore; Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness, chords that were broken will vibrate once more.”

Discipleship is all about learning the beautiful ways of Jesus. In a world where so many have lost sight of the path, perhaps this “kitchen door approach” is a key to reaching them with the good news.

Discipleship, Worldview & Truth

What does Jesus mean when He claims to be the Truth?

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Chances are you and I will never meet a person who declares “I am the truth…”   But Jesus made that insanely radical statement, and what the heck does it mean?   Understanding Jesus as “Truth” is a massive concept to wrap our brains around, but it is definitely worth pursuing.  And the witness of several scriptures will set us on that path. 

In retelling the Creation story, the Gospel of John identifies not God the Father, but Jesus the Son as the one through whom all things were created.  John writes,“Through Him, (that is – Jesus), all things were made, and apart from Him nothing was made that has been made.”  (John 1:3)  It’s true that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit always work together as one, (that is… there are no “solo acts” in the Trinity), but for many of us it might require a shift of thinking to consider Jesus, rather than His Father, as the one through whom all creation was spoken into existence.  

But Colossians 1:16 takes it a step further and explains that it is also Jesus who holds all things together.  “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible… and in Him all things hold together.”  Many scientists would say that the “mortar” that holds all things together actually consists in four mysterious forces known as gravity, the electromagnetic force, the “strong force”, and the “weak force.”  The problem with that explanation is that these four forces have names, but they have no explanation because they exist only in theory.  You can neither see them, nor figure out how they work.   But since something must be holding everything together, science has posited these four elusive forces to get the job done.  

The Scriptures, however, cut to the chase and simply declare that it is Jesus who holds all creation together “by the power of his word.”   (Hebrews 1:3)  Now, let’s go back to Jesus being the truth:  Jesus is the One who created all things, and he is the One who holds all things together.  He made gravity, and he is holding gravity in place at this moment.  He created sound, the speed of sound, the frequencies of sound and the harmonies that result when frequencies are combined.  So when Jesus says, “I am the Truth” He means that he is the source and sustainer of everything in the universe.  If you were to take Him out of His creation, reality itself would disintegrate into non-existence. In this sense Jesus doesn’t need to “learn” anything about calculous, quantum physics or anything else because he created all these things.  He is, indeed, the Truth about everything.  

This is why pursuing Truth is vital.  When we pursue Truth we will ultimately discover Jesus, and when we pursue Jesus we will ultimately have the truth thrown in as well.  Leading the way and setting the example, Kingdom disciples ought to always encourage others to seek the Truth that leads to freedom, life, and ultimately the Creator Himself..   

Discipleship, Worldview & Truth

Knowing Truth: Part 1

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A friend recently asked me for some thoughts about how we can know the truth.  With so many ideas, stories and opinions out there even within the church, it’s no small task to settle with reasonable confidence on what is TRULY true.  And yet I can think of nothing  so important in these turbulent days as having this north star to guide us.  

Jesus declares himself to be the truth, (John 14:6), and therefore every perception of reality must be filtered through his brilliant beauty and awesome, unchanging character.  When John Keats wrote “Beauty is truth, truth beauty,—that’s all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know” he captured something of Jesus, who is the perennial fountain of both:  Truth will be forever beautiful, and beauty will be eternally truthful. 

In the interest of not overburdening my friends with words, I’ll divide this post into several shorter entries.  For now, here’s something to consider: The Truth will always set you free:  That’s not my opinion but the promise of the One who  created and sustains all reality.  “If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you WILL know the truth, and the truth WILL make you free.”   (John 8:31-32)

As we wade through ideas and opinions it’s essential to examine them through the lens of Jesus’ character and his words, asking at every turn, “Does this idea impart freedom to my soul?”   I’m not talking about the artificial freedom of doing whatever you want, but rather the inner witness that “This beautiful idea causes my heart to leap  with expectancy of blessings, fulfillment, and freedom.” May you be guided into the ever-expanding truth that makes you free.

In the next post I’ll look at three additional ways of identifying Truth. 

Discipleship, Endtimes, The Kingdom, Worldview & Truth

The Trap of Fatalism

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One of the towering truths that set Biblical Christianity apart from other religions and worldviews is the double-sided concept of human significance and free will.  While other worldviews embrace fatalism, (“What will be will be.”), and the insignificance of the individual, Christianity boldly asserts that people are designed to make an eternal difference in the world.  In contemplating man, the Psalmist declared,  “You have made him a little lower than the angels,  You have crowned him with glory and majesty!   You have made him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet.”  (Psalm 8:5-6)  

But do we live as if it’s true?   Many in today’s church seem to settle for insignificance and practical fatalism:  

“It is what it is.”
“What will be will be.”
“We’re helpless against the system.
“What difference can I make?” 

It shows up in our meager prayer lives and in the way we quickly consign the government, the culture, the educational system, and the creative arts to the ash heap of darkness.  When was the last time any of us were a part of a well-attended prayer meeting for our community, the epidemic drug problem, or the specter of another world war?   It shows in our theology every time we casually accept the idea that the world must become darker and darker until Jesus is forced to intervene and snatch us away to heaven. 

“There was a small city with few men in it and a great king came to it, surrounded it and constructed large siege works against it.  But there was found in it a poor wise man, and he delivered the city by his wisdom.”  – Ecclesiastes 9:14-15  The scriptures are brimming with stories of mere men and women who changed history.

“… if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.”  – Matthew 17;20

We are not helpless slaves to fate, but children of a God who lives among us to impact the world.  May our prayers, our actions and our words reflect that reality.  

Discipleship

Thirty Kingdom Virtues:

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A disciple of Jesus ought to be a certain kind of person, growing daily into the image of Christ. Jesus mentioned the virtues in the Sermon on the Mount, and the other New Testament writers developed them further in the epistles. Here are thirty Kingdom virtues. But there are many more as well. Perhaps you can mention others in the comment section.

Humility: The place of entire dependence upon God.   “… all of you clothe yourselves in humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”  1 Peter 5:5

The opposite of humility is pride, which is independence from, and rebellion towards God.  This, of course, was Satan’s sin, and the sin of Adam and Eve.

Innocence:  The childlike condition of being blameless and pure. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”  Matthew 5:8

“Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”  – Psalm 51:7

Of course none of us are innocent apart from the work of Jesus on our behalf.  But what a beautiful gift to have our childlike innocence restored.

Honor: Recognizing and treating each person as a beloved image bearer of God. “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” – Romans 12:10

“Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.” 1 Peter 2:1

Excellence: Letting all that you do reflect your very best. “Whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31

“O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth!” Psalm 8:1

Gratitude: We ought to always remember that gratitude is not complete until it is expressed.  When we say “Thank you”, it becomes real.

“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

“What do you have that God hasn’t given you?” – 1 Corinthians. 4:7

Hospitality: The spirit of welcome originally displayed in God when He welcomed us into His life.  In a sense, it is the doorway into the Kingdom. 

“So reach out and welcome one another to God’s glory. Jesus did it; now you do it!” – Romans 15:7 (The Message)

Gentleness / Kindness: The generous extension of thoughtfulness, compassion and empathy towards others. 
“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.” – Matthew 5:5

“Let your gentle spirit be known to all men.” – Philippians 4:5

“Gentle” is the word Jesus used to describe his own heart: “I am meek and gentle of heart.” – (Matthew 11:29)

“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”

Patience: The ability to endure difficult circumstances. “Love is patient.”  – 1 Corinthians 13:4

“… be patient, bearing with one another in love.”   – Ephesians 4:2

I suspect many of us struggle with patience because we have neglected the God-given call to plant gardens. Gardening produces patience. And difficult people too!

Wisdom: Seeing life from God’s perspective and understanding the consequences of our choices. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”    – James 1:5

“Sell everything and buy Wisdom! Forage for Understanding!Don’t forget one word! Don’t deviate an inch!Never walk away from Wisdom—she guards your life; love her—she keeps her eye on you.Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom! Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding! Throw your arms around her—believe me, you won’t regret it; never let her go—she’ll make your life glorious.” Proverbs 4:5-9. (The Message)

Faith:  “Faith is knowing God well enough to know what He wants to do in a given situation.”  (Heidi Baker) “We live by faith, and not by sight.”  2 Corinthians 5:7

“…If you believe you will see the glory of God.” John 11:40

Generosity: Everything I have is merely on loan from God to be freely shared with others.  ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”  – Jesus 

“And when you give, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing!”   – Also Jesus!

Mercy: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”   – Matthew 5:7

It is our call to be merciful while leaving all judgment to God. He alone carries that authority.  While Believers ought to rightly condemn sin, we must never condemn the sinner.  So much of our tarnished reputation would be rehabilitated if the church  would return to mercy.

Self-control.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is… self control.” – Galatians 5:22-23

Self-control will produce an ordered, disciplined life of love and beauty.  Its opposite is debauchery.

Courage: Not the absence of fear, but the willingness to take action in spite of your fears.  “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  – Joshua 1:9

Compassion: To share in the sufferings of others. “Carry each other’s burdens”.  Galatians 6:2   

“Weep with those who weep…”  Romans 12:15

Diligence / Industry:  The opposite of laziness and sloth. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.”  Colossians 2:23-24

“Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.”  Proverbs 12:24

Sacrifice  “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”    – John 15:13

The entire structure of the cosmos hangs upon the sacrifice of one Man.

Truth: An accurate description of reality.  “If you hold to my teaching, you are my disciples indeed. Then you will know the truth, (reality), and the truth, (reality), will set you free.”  – John 8:31

“They exchanged the truth of God for a lie… therefore God gave them over… to become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice… God-haters… arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil… they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy.”   – Romans 1:25-30

Peacemaking:  Responding to conflict in the Spirit of Christ rather than offensiveness and judgment.  “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”  – Matthew 5:9

“Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord…”   – Hebrews 12:14

Godliness: Reflecting the character and beauty of Jesus.    “… speaking the truth in love, we will grow in every way to be more and more like Christ…”  – Ephesians 4:15 

Godliness, really, is our purpose and goal.

Contentment:  The opposite of covetousness. “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ”  – 1 Timothy 6:6-8

Discontentment fuels unhappiness, depression, and stress.  

See Luke 12:15-24 for Jesus’ winsome teaching about sparrows, lilies, and a fool who kept building bigger barns.

Justice:  Impartially upholding what is just, fair, and right according to honor, morality, and law. “He has shown you, O man, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”  – Micah 6:8

“When justice is deferred it makes the heart sick, but “when justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous and terror to evildoers.”   – Proverbs 21:15

The scriptures teach that God will ultimately judge every evil deed and right the scales of justice.  Oh how we long for that day….

Forgiveness. Followers of Jesus do not hold onto bitterness.  Full stop.  
“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” 

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”  Ephesians 4:32

Grace: Recognizing the extravagant love and favor of God towards oneself, and freely extending it to others.  

Followers of Jesus ought to be famous for this virtue, but too often we are known instead for our judgments.

Believing the best in people.  “Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”  – 1 Corinthians 13:7

Although we will sometimes be disappointed, it’s better to live in generous optimism towards others than to sink into bitter cynicism and judgment.

Endurance: The ability to stand up under times of suffering, hardship, trauma, and fatigue.  It is closely tied to patience, joy, faith, and proven character.

“Brethren, consider it all joy when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect work in you, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”  – James 1:2-4

Slow to anger, or “not being easily offended”.   “A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression.”  Proverbs 19:11

In a culture of offense where the slightest word or political opinion can trigger anger, this ought to set Believers apart like stars in the night sky.

Servanthood “The greatest among you will be your servant.”  – Matthew 23:11 

The mark of true greatness; Many of our greatest heroes are those who have cheerfully and sacrificially served others.  This is such a beautiful rebuke to a world which idolizes looks, money, stardom, and talent.

Encouragement: to speak strength and courage into others.  “… let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.”    Hebrews 10:25

As we observe the events around us we need to remind each other that the King is on the move, and will soon be among us!

Love: To seek the highest good of others.  

Love beats “tolerance” by millions upon millions of miles.      

“Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”   – John 13:34-35

Discipleship

Certainty or Confidence?

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Years ago I read a newspaper interview with a spry 105 year old woman who had just celebrated another birthday.  I forget nearly all the details of the article except for one question the interviewer asked:  “After so many years of life, what do you know for certain that you would like to pass on to others?”  “Oh”, she said, “I don’t know anything for certain!  But I do suspect a few things.”

After spending the bulk of my life doing my level-best to call young people into discipleship, a steady willingness to “rethink” seems to be an important key to transformation.  We must be wary of certainty, and aim at confidence.  I have come to believe that when Jesus opened his ministry with the command to “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand” he was calling the world to something more than a one-time decision to follow Him, but rather to a lifetime of rethinking the ideas, attitudes, and habits that have littered our minds by the spirit of the age.  Discipleship is a lifelong process of being transformed “by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:1-2) 

In the series, The Chosen, Peter reacts to something Jesus has said: “But this is different.”  And Jesus, with a twinkle in his eye, answers, “Get used to different.”  So often we in the modern church have allowed our religious ideas to harden like concrete into certainty, and  in the process have short-circuited the opportunity to grow and change.  

“Get used to different.” (And by the way, this applies to The Chosen, too. As much as I enjoy the beautiful storytelling of the series, it demands discernment between the clear Biblical truth, and the creative license of the writers. Test all things)!

In the classroom I begin nearly every session with the challenge, “Test everything I say.  I too am a disciple, and though I am confident in what I teach, it’s possible I could be wrong.  Look at these scriptures with me, and if they do not support what I teach, then stop me, and help me to see my error.”   I hope you will do the same.  I’m far from an authority on the things I write about, but I present them with a degree of confidence that they seem to be true according to the scriptures, plain reason, and experiential fruit.  

The disciples of Jesus are not hardened scribes, but lifelong learners.

Discipleship

Experiencing Life

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It’s an unchanging key to the Kingdom: life expands and contracts according to our preoccupation with self.  “If your first concern is to look after yourself, you’ll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you’ll find both yourself and me.”  (Matthew 10:39)

We get stuck in our own needs and wonder why life isn’t “better” for us.  The solution is simple: Raise your sights and your concern to those around you, forget about yourself and ask what you can do for the person standing in front of you.  That is Christian maturity: the bearing of fruit.  Life is too short to be self-conscious, timid, and retiring.  A mature disciple of Jesus is one who has become outgoing, servant-minded, and others-focused. The question to ask is, “What can I do to help that man bear his load?”

Karl Menninger, the famous psychiatrist, noted that the great problem in his psychiatric hospital was how to get the patients to do anything for others, “for they are not interested in others; they are interested solely in themselves – that’s why they are here!”

May God deliver us from the shallowness of soul-sucking selfishness!    

Discipleship, Worldview & Truth

True Education

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John Wesley used to exhort the early Methodist circuit riders to “Read, or get out of the ministry.”  Severe?  Perhaps, but I’m convinced that reading is an absolute essential to discipleship.  We are called, after all, to be lifelong learners; disciples of the Kingdom never master the curriculum.  There will always be more. 

Francis Schaeffer says “True education requires thinking across the various disciplines, and not just being qualified in one particular field”. Evangelicals are the worst at this.  We are often “experts” in evangelicalism and ignorant of history, philosophy, art, culture and government. Thus, one of the greatest failures of today’s church is our abandonment of the Christian mind.  “My people are destroyed through lack of knowledge.”  (Hosea 4:6). Because we have abandoned the call to love God with our minds, we have stalled the advance of the Kingdom, and fallen into cultural damage-control.  We’ve become mental midgets facing the end of the world as we know it. 

The apostle Paul, with his sterling credentials asked Timothy to “bring the books” when he came.  (2 Timothy 4:13).  What books?  We don’t know, but we do know from reading his epistles that the apostle had a thorough grasp of history, law, culture, philosophy, and poetry.  “All things are Thy servants”, David wrote in Psalm 119.  “All things”.  If we have discerning hearts, we will see God’s truth embedded everywhere, from nature, mathematics, and beauty, to stories, literature, and poetry.

Saint Athanasius reminded the fourth century believers, “You will not see anyone who is truly striving after spiritual advancement who is not given to spiritual reading.”  If I could encourage young disciples of Jesus with one discipline, it would be to read! (Well… to read, and to PRAY!!)  We ought to read broadly, read critically, read with discernment, and read with humility. 

Here’s a link to a cross-section of books which have shaped my worldview and my walk with Jesus.    Perhaps you have your own favorites you could share in the comments section.  A good book recommendation can change a life and open a whole new world! 

Discipleship

DO YOU SEE?

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Several years back I went into a local restaurant with an old and dear friend in Hawaii. Taking our seats, I pulled my cell phone from my pocket and placed it, screen-down, on the table in front of me. Within moments the waiter appeared, looked me in the eye, and informed me, “I’m sorry, sir, but in this restaurant, we don’t allow cell phones to be seen. You’ll have to put that away.” Ha! Busted! It was a momentary embarrassment, but a beautiful policy and lesson!

Two nights ago, in another restaurant I walked past a table of eight diners. Six of them were staring at cell phones. How sad and demeaning to think that the image-bearers of God can sit face to face with each other and find more interest in screens and pixels.

We disciples of Jesus must do better; we must establish a higher, more beautiful culture. One of the very first names given to God in the Old Testament is El Roi, “The God who sees.” (Genesis 16:13). Certainly He sees all things, but he is clearly captivated by the sight of His own image in the face of his sons and daughters. “Turning toward the woman, Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do you SEE this woman?’” (Luke 7:44). I like that. Fussy, distracted Simon saw only an embarrassment at his dinner party, but Jesus was utterly enchanted by the street woman in front of him.

Often it’s the small things that set the disciples of Jesus apart as a “city on a hill”: our priorities, our focus, and the things that take our attention. At this moment, and the next, the most important thing in the world is that person standing right in front of me. Jesus sees her. Do I? Do you?