BLENDED FAMILY

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Believer & Disciple

 Text: Matt 7: 13-14 to 21-23 

 

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV

 

“It would appear that very few people who claim to be Christians rank knowing, loving, and following Jesus as their Number 1 priority. Most are believers, but not disciples. Look at the differences:

 

1. BELIEVERS believe in Jesus as their Savior but live to please themselves.

DISCIPLES believe in Jesus as Lord and live to please God.

 

All of us begin our walk of faith because we need to receive forgiveness and acceptance from God, but many of us never grow beyond the perception that God exists for our benefit. Disciples turn the corner; they realize they’ve been blessed so they can be a blessing to others. They live to honor the One who has rescued them from death and given them hope for the future. Disciples don’t focus only on what God can do for them; they long to give to God and to others.

 

2. BELIEVERS exalt their opinions, feelings, and thoughts above the Word of God.

DISCIPLES exalt the Word of God above their opinions, feelings, and thoughts.

 

“Believers focus only on the passages that promise what God will do for them, but disciples take seriously the whole counsel of God. Disciples follow God whether they agree with God’s Word or not, whether they understand or not, and whether obeying is easy or not.

 

3. BELIEVERS think of church as a place they go to hear what God’s Word say.”

 

“DISCIPLES think of church as a place they learn to do what God’s Word says.

Many people go to church to be entertained, and they complain when the sermon isn’t as interesting as they’d like. Disciples have open ears and eager hearts as they listen. They plan to take action on what they hear from God.

 

4. BELIEVERS are accountable only to themselves.

DISCIPLES are accountable to everyone.

 

Believers prefer to keep honest feedback at arm’s length, but disciples are open to instruction and correction.

 

5. BELIEVERS serve God if it’s convenient.

DISCIPLES serve God based on conviction.

 

Many people give and serve, but only if it doesn’t cost them very much. Disciples give, love, and serve like Jesus—even at great cost.

 

6. BELIEVERS try to impress God by being religious.

DISCIPLES seek to know God through a relationship.

 

Believers and disciples appear to do many of the same activities, but their motives are miles apart. Many Christians try to impress God (and those around them) by being involved in church and service, but disciples do those same things to know God better and reflect His goodness and greatness to everyone.

 

7. BELIEVERS follow God as long as everything is going well.

DISCIPLES follow God regardless of the circumstances.

 

Believers and disciples have very different breaking points. Believers stick around as long as God seems to be blessing them and life is easy, but disciples keep pursuing God and trusting Him even when their world is falling apart.

 

8. BELIEVERS choose their own path and ask” “God to bless it.

DISCIPLES ask God to reveal the path, and they follow it.

Believers are self-focused. They determine their own goals, and they expect God to help them achieve them. Disciples start with God’s will, God’s purposes, and God’s heart. They look to Him for direction, and they are eager to follow His leading.

 

9. BELIEVERS are full of pride if they’re doing well and self-pity if they’re not.

DISCIPLES are full of gratitude because God’s love never fails.

If a person’s identity is tied to performance, then pride or self-pity are the rollercoaster they ride all day, every day. But if the grace of God is their source of identity, they find security, strength, and peace even in difficult circumstances.

 

10. BELIEVERS follow the example of the world that seeks to go higher.

 

DISCIPLES follow the example of the world” “that seeks to go higher.

The natural mind always wants more power, prestige, and possessions, but the spiritual mind of disciples follows the self-sacrificial example of Jesus.”