Faith

The apostle Paul clearly spells out the way Jesus ransoms us in this life in his letter to the people who are caught up in The Way when he says; "It is by grace we are saved through faith, and this not of ourselves, it is a gift of God, not by works, so that no man can boast." 

Ephesians 2:8-9 

The discipleship journey is a life lived by faith in Jesus Christ. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews says this; "without faith it is impossible to please God." Hebrews 11:6  Faith (trusting in God, all that He is, all that we are in Him) is foundational for disciples of Jesus. Faith empowers us to respond to Jesus' call to, "Come follow me."  Faith and following produce actions. We are not left alone in initiating this action. When we place our faith in Jesus, we receive the promised Holy Spirit and are filled with the supernatural power to be transformed.

Are you a disciple? Becoming a disciple must begin by faith; faith in Jesus Christ. 

Faith definition: Faith is choosing to believe the Bible is true regardless of my emotions, circumstances or cultural trends. 

Discipleship Story

I have been really exploring discipleship lately. My quest is to uncover the essence of "disciple making". The chairs in the picture represent the relational aspect of "disciple making" that one cannot ignore. Jesus walked along the dusty roads, sat on hillsides and in synagogues, stopped for a drink of water at the local water hole and wandered into the lives of people wherever he journeyed. He got "face to face" with people.

So when He tells us to "go and make disicples" I think He is telling us to move out into another's life. This seems consistent with all of his teachings; getting life's focus off of self and out to others, giving instead of receiving, etc.

As Bill Hull states in his book, Choose the Life, "Christ was a man for others. He claimed it and lived it." The son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many. Matt. 20:28

The face to face time he calls us to in the command to "go" (Matt. 28:18-20) is not an option for Christ followers. Have you placed your faith in Christ? Are you following Him? Are you ready to turn your chair to face another? Look around, God is stirring the heart of someone for you to meet with this week.