Full-Time Discipleship

Thoughts from Pastor Dan Teefey (preaching at Riverside Covenant Church in Lafayette this morning):

Following spiritual germination (initial belief in the Son of God), scriptures encourage us to sprout and mature (become faithful, obedient servants of Christ). In Philippians 3:12-21 the apostle Paul suggests we stop looking back but keep our focus forward-looking and heavenward as we chase after the heart of Jesus – press on and strain toward taking hold of Him. In this way we are transformed, and realize our full earthly potential and purpose.

As maturing disciples, we are to be people God can count on, people who take seriously the vision of St. Francis of Assisi:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Achieving this perfectly is beyond us. However, as we seek His balance - walk humbly with God (pray and converse with Him), love mercy and act justly (invest in the lives of fellow believers and operate as God’s voice in the world) - He increasingly equips and enables us to become full-time disciples. (Luke 6, Micah 6:8)

In summary, God asks for nothing less that OUR LIVES.