Wednesday, July 06, 2005

The diciple

"A student is no better than his teacher. But everyone who is well-trained will be like his teacher."
Luke 6:40
A student has not learned by simply listening to his teacher and studying the concepts addressed but by living what he is learning. A disciple is quite simply one who has learned.
The call to discipleship: Am I ever hearing but never obeying?
The Invitation:Come and learn of me
The Instructor: I am gentle and humble of heart.
The Requirements:You cannot be my disciple, unless you love me more than you love your father and mother, your wife and children, and your brothers and sisters. You cannot come with me unless you love me more than you love your own life. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me, he cannot be My disciple. So then, everyone of you who does not forsake all his possessions, he cannot be My disciple.
The Diploma: They will kow you are my disciples by your love for one-another
The Instruction: "...I tell everyone who is listening: Love your enemies. Be kind to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who insult you. If someone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other cheek as well. If someone takes your coat, don't stop him from taking your shirt. Give to everyone who asks you for something. If someone takes what is yours, don't insist on getting it back. Do for other people everything you want them to do for you. If you love those who love you, do you deserve any thanks for that? Even sinners love those who love them. If you help those who help you, do you deserve any thanks for that? Sinners do that too. If you lend anything to those from whom you expect to get something back, do you deserve any thanks for that? Sinners also lend to sinners to get back what they lend. Rather, love your enemies, help them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then you will have a great reward. You will be the children of the Most High God. After all, he is kind to unthankful and evil people. Be merciful as your Father is merciful. Stop judging, and you will never be judged. Stop condemning, and you will never be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and you will receive. A large quantity, pressed together, shaken down, and running over will be put into your pocket. The standards you use for others will be applied to you."

"Why do you call me Lord but don't do what I tell you?"
Luke 6:46
The one claiming to rest in Him ought so to walk himself as that One walked. 1John 2:6

Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived. (MSG)

Growing in his likeness..... Thoroughly prepared. Fully restored. Well trained.

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