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Thread: The meaning of discipleship

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    Novichok
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    Default True Discipleship

    This is what it's all about... not going to church every Sunday and warm the pews. Good practical advice.

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    Default The meaning of discipleship


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    Yes, that's very true.
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    "We must obey God rather than men." - Acts 5:29

    Those two video animations explain the difference between religious and spiritual/spirit-filled quite well, as well as the difference between obeying man/the church and obeying God:





    The first people in those videos are basically "preaching to the choir", they help out and spread the gospel in a church, study the Bible and has theological discussions with priests and the like, while the second ones pray to be guided by the Holy Spirit and spread God's word outside of churches, evangelize in different countries, prays for the sick, etc. In the end, the first ones barely make it into heaven but only the second ones receive rewards for their deeds.

    Unfortunately, there are many people who believe religion and their church will save them. They throw on the Christian name tag and think just by going to church they will be granted heaven. Some of them are just part-time Christians who attend church on Sundays and do not have a personal relationship with God. They limit their "piousness" to the church and as soon as they are outside of its walls, they go back to sinning or acting in a very un-Christian manner, thinking they'll just confess next time they see their priest and all will be forgiven. The prospect of having a personal relationship with God is alien to them. To them, religion is like a contract with conditions. Do the right things and you should be fine. There is no intimacy, relationship or dialogue. Just do your part (act right) and God will do his (allow you into heaven).

    Also originally, a church was a community of Christians. Nowadays many churches don't reflect that anymore. In addition, some churches have become politically correct and water down the gospel or downright discard their Bibles. They accept homosexuality, adultery, abortion, and preach this "prosperity" gospel which is very materialistic and unbiblical. Some have leadership cults, practice scams and leech money from their attendants. To those churches, God is just another brand name to market for their business. They urge Christians to keep up with the times and adapt to the newest societal trends, even if those trends are contrary to the word of God and condemned in the Bible.

    "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!" (Galatians 1:8-9)

    "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2)

    "Don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." (James 4:4)

    A true Christian needn't attend a church. He is (part of) a church. A true church is a community of believers but discipleship strives to reach outside of that community and bring more people into it. It's not that difficult to preach to the converted. Of course, it's nice if one can find a good church community which stays true to the gospel and teaches useful things to Christians. However, the real challenge is to follow one's call and bring others to God. And followers remain faithful to His plan whether doing so is easy or hard. Jesus made it clear that being called as a disciple comes with a price: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23) For many people this could mean losing the respect of their families, friends, perhaps (as in the first video example) even churches or preachers. However, followers pursue God's plan nonetheless, as they are aware that the rewards are much greater than the losses.

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