There are Not Too Many Disciples...
There are many converts, even born again believers; however, true disciples growing in spiritual things and maturing in righteousness are much fewer. The scriptures talk about "babes" in Christ as those who are unable to remember spiritual things, unable to understand, dull of hearing, and staying in the basics. Babes in Christ are materialistic, dependent upon signs, and physical evidences before they will believe. It is "I'll believe when I see."
This is carnal Christianity, they base what they really believe on experiences and what they can see, hear, feel, taste, and smell. The Word of God is affirmed as true and inspired but in their heart it does not determine what they live by. Babes in Christ are still living by the elements of this life and under the law (Gal. 4:1-7). God's word is good for salvation and for heaven; but when it comes to actually living here in the earth we need worldly advice and wisdom to get by. Church and the scriptures are good for comfort, peace, and spiritual understanding to help us get through difficult times but that does not translate into practical living. To live in the real world we need common sense, education, scientific evidence, and to grasp the fundamental principles of how the world works.
Babes in Christ categorize spiritual things with the Bible but real life with real education, professionals, scientists, doctors, their own opinions and family advice, etc.
What do disciples do? They have died to the world. In a way they have stopped the non-sense of being carnally minded and have crossed over into the kingdom of God's dear son. Disciples of Jesus walk in grace and have put away the judgment of the law. They stop judging others and even themselves according to this world. They have become dependent upon the Word of God and judge all things according to spiritual life. The temporal world is passing away and the "facts" of this world are completely subject to the eternal truth of God's Word. They are abreast of the things of the world but God's word governs. They are no longer under bondage to the flesh, to the curse, to the provocations of condemnation and guilt (Rom. 6:4). Disciples live to Jesus and to the gift of righteousness looking at everything through the eyes of faith (Rom. 5:17). Experiences are subject to the Word of God not the other way around.
Disciples know that God wants them to know His will in every matter and to build their lives upon the rock of His Word. There is a growing "knowing" that is like the light of dawning growing brighter and brighter until the full day. Faith is to our advantage because it rules and gives victory embracing the finished work of Christ. There is the world's report (the first report) but that is NOT the final report. Disciples are walking with vision God gives from the inner man. The disciple is seeing more and more that Jesus is in them and that God has made them just as He is (I John 4:17). The riches of Christ is meant for us to rule and reign in life in very practical ways. Disciples begin to do the same works that Jesus did!
Vague Christianity is babe Christianity. If we don't know God's will we are in doubt. If our faith is between opinions about God's will there is nothing for it to stand on anymore than we can stand on waves of water. We will remain stuck and deceived even though we construct elaborate theological answers for our unbelief. The proof of discipleship is in the power of God demonstrated. That is what Paul wrote: (1Co 2:4) "And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power..." He went on to say, "(Vs. 5) that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." God always intended for His Word to be confirmed with signs that accompanied it (Mark 16:20).
If Jesus said, "Unless you people see signs and wonders you will by no means believe (John 4:48)." Then the gospel must have power to reach others. Furthermore, if Jesus needed to be attested, confirmed, and witnessed by signs, wonders, and miracles how much more do we need them?
Ac 2:22 "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know––
John 10:25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me.
Jesus argued with the Pharisees saying:
Joh 10:37 "If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me;
8 "but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him."
Jesus is telling all of us that if the works are not present, happening, manifesting, then don't believe Him! Don't believe that the Father is in Him and He is in the Father! This is the same standard for disciples!
John 17:22 "And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:
If we are not producing the same works that Jesus said we'd produce (John 14:12); there is something wrong. We are not progressing in our training to be like the master (Matt. 10:25). We are stuck in vagueness, in dependence upon what we experience, what we feel, what we see; in essence, we are still babes, still dull of hearing and understanding how huge being born again really is. We have not become skilled in the gift of righteousness!
Consider this passage:
Heb. 9:2 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.
14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
10:1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection...
Babes in Christ categorize spiritual things with the Bible but real life with real education, professionals, scientists, doctors, their own opinions and family advice, etc.
What do disciples do? They have died to the world. In a way they have stopped the non-sense of being carnally minded and have crossed over into the kingdom of God's dear son. Disciples of Jesus walk in grace and have put away the judgment of the law. They stop judging others and even themselves according to this world. They have become dependent upon the Word of God and judge all things according to spiritual life. The temporal world is passing away and the "facts" of this world are completely subject to the eternal truth of God's Word. They are abreast of the things of the world but God's word governs. They are no longer under bondage to the flesh, to the curse, to the provocations of condemnation and guilt (Rom. 6:4). Disciples live to Jesus and to the gift of righteousness looking at everything through the eyes of faith (Rom. 5:17). Experiences are subject to the Word of God not the other way around.
Disciples know that God wants them to know His will in every matter and to build their lives upon the rock of His Word. There is a growing "knowing" that is like the light of dawning growing brighter and brighter until the full day. Faith is to our advantage because it rules and gives victory embracing the finished work of Christ. There is the world's report (the first report) but that is NOT the final report. Disciples are walking with vision God gives from the inner man. The disciple is seeing more and more that Jesus is in them and that God has made them just as He is (I John 4:17). The riches of Christ is meant for us to rule and reign in life in very practical ways. Disciples begin to do the same works that Jesus did!
Vague Christianity is babe Christianity. If we don't know God's will we are in doubt. If our faith is between opinions about God's will there is nothing for it to stand on anymore than we can stand on waves of water. We will remain stuck and deceived even though we construct elaborate theological answers for our unbelief. The proof of discipleship is in the power of God demonstrated. That is what Paul wrote: (1Co 2:4) "And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power..." He went on to say, "(Vs. 5) that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." God always intended for His Word to be confirmed with signs that accompanied it (Mark 16:20).
If Jesus said, "Unless you people see signs and wonders you will by no means believe (John 4:48)." Then the gospel must have power to reach others. Furthermore, if Jesus needed to be attested, confirmed, and witnessed by signs, wonders, and miracles how much more do we need them?
Ac 2:22 "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know––
John 10:25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me.
Jesus argued with the Pharisees saying:
Joh 10:37 "If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me;
8 "but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him."
Jesus is telling all of us that if the works are not present, happening, manifesting, then don't believe Him! Don't believe that the Father is in Him and He is in the Father! This is the same standard for disciples!
John 17:22 "And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:
If we are not producing the same works that Jesus said we'd produce (John 14:12); there is something wrong. We are not progressing in our training to be like the master (Matt. 10:25). We are stuck in vagueness, in dependence upon what we experience, what we feel, what we see; in essence, we are still babes, still dull of hearing and understanding how huge being born again really is. We have not become skilled in the gift of righteousness!
Consider this passage:
Heb. 9:2 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.
14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
10:1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection...
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