Mennonites confess that when we are saved by Jesus Christ we
begin a life long journey of following the one we now have claimed and received
as our Lord and Savior. This is a process
of learning, of being empowered by the Holy Spirit, of experiencing God through
church, Scripture, prayer, and other spiritual disciplines, and of diligently striving
for God's kingdom while allowing grace to enter into our lives.
Discipleship is about a partnership between us and God - of allowing God to
transform us and us learning to obey and walk with Jesus each and every
day. Part of this walk is becoming more
and more like Jesus Christ, transformed into his image one step at a time. This includes not going along with what the
world says (carefully evaluating culture and traditional wisdom), loving
everyone (yes even those we don't want to love or who are difficult to love),
being honest in our words (who needs oaths when you actually say what you mean
in the first place?), of living in peace (even unto our deaths, following the
example of Jesus), and even not worrying about our reputations (Jesus was
called a glutton and a drunkard who ate with sinners).
Discipleship is a difficult process, one that requires a lot
of God's work in us (which usually doesn't happen overnight, but it does from
time to time), a lot of effort on our part, and a lot of perseverance. Yet, this is not a journey walked alone -
traveling together towards Christ is what church is all about. Mistakes will be made - when they are, fall
into God's grace. Take care of yourself,
by which I mean make sure to simply spend time with God - don't just do-do-do
go-go-go. Remember Jesus love for us,
and allow him to transform...don't work in your own power, but work in God's.
Discipleship - the process of becoming like Jesus in community. This is ever the goal of the church ...grow
in size, grow in love, grow in Jesus.
Yet, discipleship is also something more. Discipleship is growing in love for Jesus and
others...it's about growing relationships with love, not just gaining a certain
set of characteristics.
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