Christian Living

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Once born again, we are called to become conformed to the likeness of Christ, in our thoughts, words, and deeds, 24/7.

To the extent that one learns and applies the principles of the Written Word of God (The Bible), is the same extent that he or she is being conformed to the likeness of the Living Word of God (John 1: 1) the Lord Jesus Christ.

Granted, it is NOT our place or function to “judge” anyone, but it IS our place and function as one of His disciples, to inform others what God has to say, and the consequences of choosing to do otherwise. What others choose to do with that information is between them and God, and NOT between them and the evangelizing or edifying disciple.

Weak believers will justify their lack of participation in the Great Commission (Matt. 28: 19, 20), by taking the easy road, taking the position that the spiritual well-being of others is none of their business. The truth is, God makes it the business of the one we face in the mirror on the day we chose to become a disciple.

The more we become conformed to the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ, the more we will be different from the majority of the people we interact with on a regular basis. This difference is what sets the stage for an advancing disciple to give an answer to those who ask, why it is that he or she does not “get with the (evil) times” and follow the crowd down the roads that leads to destruction.

There are two roads that lead to two different forms of destruction.

The first road of destruction, that the majority of each generation choose to take, is the rejection of the unadulterated Gospel Message, resulting in eternal condemnation and their spending all of eternity future in what the Bible calls the lake of fire (Rev. 20: 15). The lake of fire is NOT a place of extermination. It is a place of never-ending torment and separation from God, with there never being a chance of release.

The second road of destruction, involves the elimination of the Mark 4: 19 productivity of the post-salvation spiritual life of Heaven bound, born-again believers who choose not to respond to the Matt. 16: 24 call to post salvation discipleship.

“But the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things enter and choke the word, and it (and the spiritual life of the born-again believer) becomes unfruitful (Mark 4: 19 NASB2020 parenthesis mine).”

The fruit being spoken of here is the evangelized or edified souls of others.

Post salvation discipleship is initially for the edification and spiritual growth of oneself, but with the long-term objective of participating in the Great Commission (Matt. 28: 19, 20). Like a runner in a torch-relay race, one cannot be used of God to pass something along to others that he has not first taken possession of for himself.

Very few born-again believers are called to be pastor-teachers, or to be missionaries in foreign lands.

However, EVERY born-again believer is called to the post salvation life of discipleship, as he or she goes about his or her daily activities WHEREVER they are, be it at home, work, school, or play, 24/7. They will acknowledge that THIS is the DIVINE purpose for being wherever they are, no matter what they are otherwise doing.

End of Part Two

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