Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: WORTHY (11/29/24)
-
TITLE: The Hurdle Of Unworthiness | Previous Challenge Entry
By Doug Laird
12/03/24 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
Mathew 10: 37 speak of not being worthy of the Lord Jesus Christ if one loves father or mother, son or daughter, more than Him. Matt. 10: 38 speaks of one being unworthy of Him who does not *take up the cross and follow Him.
*“Taking up the cross” means to embrace Biblical discipleship. Discipleship is initially for the development and application of one’s own edified soul structure, but with the long term objective of participating in the Great Commission (1), evangelizing and or edifying others.
Like a runner in a torch-relay race, one can not be used by God to pass along to others something that he or she has not first taken possession of for himself or herself.
Every born again believer, at the very least, is capable and accountable for sharing the unadulterated Gospel Message,
encapsulated in John 3: 16, 18, when God gives him or her the opportunity to do so.
As one advances in discipleship, he or she becomes capable and therefore accountable (2) for sharing principles of Bible Doctrine when God gives him or her the opportunity to do so.
The devil would have us believe that the spiritual well-being of others is none of our business.
God made it our business when He commissioned us and commanded us to prepare ourselves (3), and to participate in the Great Commission (4).
A born again believer should not have to go around looking for someone to evangelize (share the Gospel Message) or to edify (share principles of Bible Doctrine).
The unspoken testimony of the daily lives of advancing disciples should draw inquirers to them.
Participating in the Great Commission is what gives spiritual significance to everything that one is doing as we share common experiences with others at home, work, school, and play.
According to Matt. 10: 38, this is a part of becoming a worthy follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Failing to do so is what makes one unworthy to be called His follower.
Family members, friends, and persons with whom we have personal relationships with, can be one of the greatest assets (or hindrances) to one’s spiritual rebirth (5) and development (6).
If they themselves have been born again and are pursuing Biblical discipleship themselves, they will do all they can to encourage you to do the same.
The opposite is also true, becoming a Matt. 18: 6, 7 stumbling block.
Worthy, in Matt. 10: 37, 38 , is an English translation of the Greek word a-x-l-o-s, found in the original manuscripts, meaning fitting or appropriate under the circumstances at hand.
Luke 14: 26, 27 takes it a step further. It adds one’s spouse, siblings, and one self to list of potential competitors for first-place consideration on our list of priorities.
The phrase, “even his own life (Luke 14: 26 NASB2020)” speaks of engaging in any activity that is not a part of the plan that God has in mind. This can include otherwise good activities if our focus on them takes us away from the plan of God.
Luke 14: 27 declares that such unworthiness disqualifies one from being an advancing disciple.
“For to me (as an advancing disciple), to live is (for) Christ, and to die is gain (Phil. 1: 21 NASB2020 parenthesis mine).”
Our obedience (7) and service that is the result of advancing in discipleship is an expression of our love for God.
For many Church Age, born-again believers, Rev. 2 : 1-5 has a “closer to home” application than what they would care to acknowledge.
The passage begins by listing the many things that the 1st Century Church in Ephesus was doing RIGHT, but concludes with a call to repentance (change of mind) because they had “left their first love (Rev. 2: 4 NASB2020).”
Prioritizing anyone or anything in the place of God amounts to spiritual adultery.
All disciples are born again believers, but not all born again believers enter into, or remain, in Biblical Discipleship (8).
Are you a Biblically-defined “worthy” follower of Christ?
In conclusion, I quote the challenging words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians.
“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling which you have been called (Eph. 4: 1 NASB2020).”
(1) Matt. 28: 19, 20 (2) Luke 12: 48 (3) 1Pet. 3:15 (4) Matt. 28: 19, 20 (5) John 3: 5, 7 (6) 2Pet. 3: 18 (7) John 14: 15 (8) Mark 4: 19
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
