In the past years we have been wonderfully blessed by themes that excite and motivate us.  For example the theme, “Unusual Favor” has made us feel very special as we have come to understand our ranking in the Body of Christ.  The many messages that I have shared with you to get you to understand that special place that you hold has been loudly resounded through the years.  Such messages as:  “God’s Seasons of Favor” “A New Season of Favor”, “Acquiring a Flavor For Favor”, “Favor In the Land of Famine”, “Satisfied with Favor”, “The Fight Is In Your Favor!” and “When Favor Ain’t Favor No More” are just some of the many messages that were proclaimed in your hearing in order to raise your level of thinking about your potential as a believer in Christ Jesus.  Certainly this realm of living is a realm of spiritual perks and benefits that God’s benevolence to us as we follow Him.  Whoops!  I just said a mouth full.  Did you catch it—“as we follow Him?”  Think about those words—“as we follow Him.”  Just being a follower.  Not wanting or hoping for anything other than being desirous of Him.  At least this must become our understanding of “following Him.”  Not to change the subject but…

Can you believe it?  Year 2008 is just weeks away from closing.  Having said that, our heads are beginning to make that annual turn toward self-analysis, in which we examine our lives and make determination of what we desire the upcoming year to ideally be.  What are the things that we want to shed?  What are the things we want to keep and perfect?  Who are the people we want in our lives?  Who no longer matters to us?  And of course because Christ holds a great deal of importance to us, we bring this process of examination into our spiritual lives as well.  However, before we do, I would like to look into this thing called, “Discipleship” or “following Him.”  In examining this subject, I think that it can help us to better determine the answers to all of the questions that we are about to consider be it on our minds or on paper.  Just what does it mean to “follow Him?”  What is Christianity?  What is the cost that must be paid in being a “disciple?”  This understanding is so important before we craft that post-holiday list of reforms which is soon lost in a matter of days into the next year. 

To begin answering the question “What is discipleship?”, it probably is best to let Jesus answer the question for us.  After all, who knows better?  And after all it is He whom we must become a disciple of.  Jesus, what saith thou?

Luke 9:23—26--And He was saying to all, Assuming that anyone desires to come after me as a follower of mine, let him disregard his own interests, and let him at once and once for all pick up and carry his cross day after day, and let him take the same road with me that I take as a habit of life. For whoever desires to save his soul-life, shall ruin it. But whoever will declare a sentence of death upon his soul-life for my sake, this one shall save it. For how is a man profited, having acquired the whole world but having ruined or forfeited himself. For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of this one the Son of Man shall be ashamed whenever He comes in His glory and that of the Father and that of the holy angels.

Wow!  That’s some heavy-revvy!  Look at what Jesus makes as a requirement for being a disciple.  1) Disregard your own interests  2) This forfeiture of self interests must be executed on a daily basis until it becomes  3) a habit of life which means that a  4)sentence of death must be always placed upon those things that are vying to become the priority in our lives, which ultimately is concluded in the words  5) “forfeiting oneself.”

Believe it or not, this is quite different from what we term “church membership.”  To become a member of an organization like Mega by no means requires half that commitment, or least It would seem from all (membership) indication to be that way.  In examining church membership it would appear the requirements are:  1) getting to church when you can  2) living the best you can or half of what you know  3)  affording what you can  4) giving your time and money to it when it is absolutely convenient, living your life to a limited degree because after all  5) God understands.

It is little wonder that we make such dawdling progress in our spiritual lives, because our concept of “following Jesus” is no where near His concept in claiming us as one of His disciples.  In other words, when He looks at us, there is nothing about us that resembles Him or His lifestyle—cross, crucifixion, self-sacrificing, total commitment, giving all, saving none.  Before we make our short list of changes for the New Year, may we fully understand that a disciple is one who-- (1) believes his doctrine, (2) rests on his sacrifice, (3) imbibes his spirit, and (4) imitates his example?  You’re repeating?  Yes, I am.  It bears repeating because we really don’t get it.  We are still living our lives and making our decisions accordingly even after declaring ourselves to be his “disciples.”  Our agendas are planned, having little to do with any imitation of Him.  How sad this becomes.  How much this weighs on the heart of God. 

So before we make our claim to Christianity, let us first become a disciple of Jesus Christ by “following” and “forsaking.”  May this be reflected in our lifestyles in the New Year to come.  Being true the year 2009 will be a banner year; none like we have ever seen.