Discipleship - Treading Shallow or Going Deep? (Part I)
December 12th 2011 18:56
There seems to be a growing concern about the shallowness of not only Christians in general; but of the pastors/teachers who have the responsibility to equip them in the ways of the Most High. I am increasingly surprised at what Christians do not know from the Word. What I find even more amazing is the fact no pastor/teacher has ever taught them the deeper truths of God’s Word.
Obviously God is not surprised, which is why He included Hebrews 6:1 in His word to us, “Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.” Evangelism and salvation are vital aspects of the Christian life, even necessary. However, after we have believed upon Jesus Christ as our Savior, it is time to go deeper in our spiritual understanding and maturity.
Richard Foster said it this way, “The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people." If it is so important for us to become deep people, who and what is a deep person? Beyond understanding who deep people are; is it even possible to become a deep person?
There are many voices clamoring for our attention. There are people who seem to be in constant need of our help. Many people are being swept away by 50-60 hour work weeks. On top of that, there is church, children, school, cooking, shopping, laundry and the list continues on into another millennium. Is deep even thinkable, much less doable for anyone who does not live in a monastery?
Coming back to understanding who or what a deep person is, here is a simple definition: “Deep people are those whose lives are built around Jesus - His character, His life of service, His worldview, His commitment to the Father’s will, and His dependence upon the Holy Spirit.” On a personal level, a deep person will manifest the character of Christ, serve with the heart of Christ, see the world as Christ sees it, be committed to the will of the Father and dependent upon the Holy Spirit in fulfilling that will.
Coming up next - Part II
Obviously God is not surprised, which is why He included Hebrews 6:1 in His word to us, “Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.” Evangelism and salvation are vital aspects of the Christian life, even necessary. However, after we have believed upon Jesus Christ as our Savior, it is time to go deeper in our spiritual understanding and maturity.
Richard Foster said it this way, “The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people." If it is so important for us to become deep people, who and what is a deep person? Beyond understanding who deep people are; is it even possible to become a deep person?
There are many voices clamoring for our attention. There are people who seem to be in constant need of our help. Many people are being swept away by 50-60 hour work weeks. On top of that, there is church, children, school, cooking, shopping, laundry and the list continues on into another millennium. Is deep even thinkable, much less doable for anyone who does not live in a monastery?
Coming back to understanding who or what a deep person is, here is a simple definition: “Deep people are those whose lives are built around Jesus - His character, His life of service, His worldview, His commitment to the Father’s will, and His dependence upon the Holy Spirit.” On a personal level, a deep person will manifest the character of Christ, serve with the heart of Christ, see the world as Christ sees it, be committed to the will of the Father and dependent upon the Holy Spirit in fulfilling that will.
Coming up next - Part II
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