Isn’t it strange that we sense in our churches around the world a tendency to what I call Phariseism rather than the natural tendency to being a disciple of Christ? I know and understand that Iam treading on a mine zone. But at the same time I count it necessary to voice my conviction on these two delicate yet important issues in the body of Christ.
I always like things simple and understandable, especially when it comes to understanding the kingdom of God. According to Jesus himself, a Pharisee is someone that keeps and holds the practices of the kingdom of God without the under girding attribute of the Love of God.
A disciple on the other hand is one that is motivated by the Love of God to keep the practices of the kingdom God under girded by the unconditional love of God that he has experienced in Christ Jesus.
Discipleship is built and formed on the strong foundation of the Love of God and his complete work for us on our behalf in the person of Christ Jesus. I as an individual cannot do anything to attain the favour or the grace of God. God in his loving kindness has not required of me to attain his grace, mercy, love and favour based on my works or practices, but he has rather given it to me through the work of the person Jesus Christ. It is through what Christ has done for me that Iam now a bonafide member in the body of Christ, a son in the family of God and a disciple of Christ in this present world. This in turn motivates me and sets me on a journey where I grow in Christ’s Character and exhibit his attributes in and through my life.
Let me put it this way, going to church, tithing, giving to the poor and needy, being nice to everyone around me does not necessarily make me a disciple of Christ.
I heard some say that just because elephants have ears and I have ears that does not mean to say that Iam an elephant. Isn’t that true?? Of course it is true. In the same way, just doing the outward acts of a disciple without the inward love of God motivating us, does not make us a disciple of Christ.
Let us grow in His love, experience His love, his unconditional love, not necessarily a license to continue in a neither hot nor cold condition as regards to life in the kingdom of God, but an empowerment over sin and to a life in total victory, peace and harmony, independent of the culture and circumstances we live in.
Let us take a stand in humility, to act not in self-righteousness and be deceived in our passion towards God. Let us allow ourselves to be totally soaked in His love, so that when we are squeezed by different circumstances, His love will flow out of us.
Let us be Christ’s disciples and not Pharisees in the family of God. It is a choice and the choice is yours.
