Following Christ

For many today, the world we live in is a hostile place. Wars, disease, hatred, abuse, and poverty afflict hundreds of millions, if not billions, of people. Though improvements in technology may make some things better, it comes at a cost that enriches some and harms others. Rather than becoming more invested in developing a sense of community, there is often a sense of despair and loneliness. Some seek refuge by becoming desensitized through drugs or alcohol, or other activities that harm them physically or financially, and become addicted to them. Others think accumulating money, prestige, homes, cars, or other things will bring them joy, but these come at a cost. At a certain point in everyone’s life, chasing after pleasures, hiding from an abuser, suffering illness, living marginally, or being lonely, becomes unbearable. And some seek to be meaningful to others.

Finding rest for one’s soul is only one promise that seeking to know GOD brings. And this promise is for everyone who learns to follow Jesus Christ and then lives this new life, in fellowship with other followers or disciples (an ancient practice of Teacher and student, or Mentor and the mentored). In Christ, we have a teacher who is fully Man and fully God, who died and was resurrected, so that may have Salvation, and may live eternally with God. Though there is NOTHING we can do to EARN Salvation, there are precepts we must understand to live as one who follows Jesus Christ as LORD as well as Savior.
What follows is a series of individual devotionals or studies, to help someone become a follower of Christ, as well as strengthen those who are farther along in their walk on the narrow path.

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For the next several months, I am going to share with you all a series of biblical studies that a dear friend and mentor now deceased, shared with at least a dozen men over the span of a decade or two. What I can quite literally vouch, for those whom these studies resonate, is a changed character and quite literally, a spiritual Hope that brings peace now and endures into Eternity.

For anyone who undertakes something as meaningful as this spiritual “apprenticeship”, preparation is absolutely necessary. In whichever format you prefer, whether handwritten, typed, or an online journal, create a series of sections in the following format:

1. UNRESOLVED ISSUES (IN YOUR CHRISTIAN WALK)
2. STANDARDS
3. (DOCUMENT YOUR) GROWTH (6 areas)
   • NEW SELF DISCIPLINE / OBEYING GOD
   • INCREASED HOPEFULNESS
   • MORE OF JESUS IN SELF
   • PERSONAL INSIGHTS / BOTH POSITIVE & NEGATIVE
   • IMPROVED RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, WITH PEOPLE
   • CHANGES IN THE WAY PEOPLE RESPOND OR REACT TO YOU
4. JOURNAL

After preparation, for this journey to bring about the change you seek, accountability is critical. There should be someone you trust, someone who has been “walking the walk” as an apprentice (or disciple or follower) of Jesus Christ for some time. As a mentor, this person should be trusted to encourage, strengthen and when appropriate, to gently redirect your missteps. But being accountable to one another, is dependent on the inner work of the “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22 -23, NIV) which manifests in those who are wholly dependent on Christ.

You cannot change yourself

Lastly, for many who may find nagging doubt, weakened faith and restlessness robbing the inner joy and peace that God promises, the key is that discipleship is with Jesus Christ – effected through devotion to Him, His Word, and neither to a doctrine, denomination nor an individual – whether a living pastor or prophet. However, while some might be reticent to trust another sinner like himself (herself), Jesus calls his followers to have both “one another” relationships with a godly community and with God -Father, Son and Spirit. And I will encourage you to engage with me during the next several months, as you study out these spiritual lessons and monitor your progress.