True disciples grow
Continued from the last post on why true disciples grow
4. A true disciple fights daily against sin.
True disciples are not complacent or apathetic about their sins. They are not perfect or sinless, but they are never okay with sinning. They confess it sincerely to God and determine to turn away from it in the future.
False Christians, on the other hand, say they believe in Jesus, but they have accepted certain sins in their lives and have no intention of repenting. They still love certain sins and still love the world.
Galatians 5:16–25 describes the struggle that true disciples wage against sin:
“I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”
Application: If you look at your life and see no transformation happening, then you need to ask yourself: Am I content with sin? Am I resisting it, and not just the grosser sins but worldliness of any kind? As Scripture says, “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1, ESV).
5. A true disciple regularly beholds the Lord through worship.
The apostle Paul wrote, “We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)
Paul is not describing a literal vision of the Lord, but rather our thoughts about his ways and works. Paul says thinking true thoughts about God transforms us into his image.
And so, for example, thinking about the love of God as revealed at the cross of Jesus makes us more loving. Thinking about the patience of God as revealed in his forbearance with Israel over many centuries makes us more patient.
This is why attending church and worshiping God changes your life (if you do not harden your heart). This is why reading the Bible meditatively transforms you, for nothing reveals more about God than his Scriptures.
Application: If you look at your life and see no transformation happening, then you need to ask yourself: am I conducting a regular devotional life of worship, thanksgiving, prayer and communion with the Lord?
6. True disciples intentionally lean into growth.
They work on their faith. They read the Bible and other books. They use a spiritual journal. They are disciplined about having a daily devotional time with God and weekly church involvement. They discuss their spiritual lives with other Christians. They have spiritual goals. Disciples have discipline.
The apostle Peter wrote, “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, {6} and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, {7} and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. {8} For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. {9} For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. {10} Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. {11} For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5–11, ESV)
Application: If you look at your life and see no transformation happening, then you need to ask yourself: Am I making every effort to grow in godliness? Do I work as hard at growing spiritually as I do on my job?
Continued next time