I was really encouraged this past week by a few people in our church. They've been coming for a couple of months and recently each one got saved - within a week of the other. As exciting as this always is, the most encouraging part was that they each came to me and started asking about Bibles, Bible Study, etc. They began reading on their own and they can't seem to get enough. They come to every service and have a million questions every time I see them. Discipling them is a joy because they want it.
That's my biggest problem with many of the "Christians" in our churches. Discipling them is like pulling teeth. Constant prodding to read the Bible, to come to church or a Bible study, to worship, etc. As I've said before, it shouldn't be that way. Discipling is hard work, because new believers come with prior mindsets and life patterns that need to be addressed as they grow. We need to understand this going in - new babies come with dirty diapers. But it isn't coercion.
Believers, new or old, should be eagerly pursuing God on their own. That's a true mark of a real convert - a personal desire to get more of Jesus. That's why I'm so encouraged by these two men in our church. I believe that a real salvation has taken place in their lives.
If you're one of those people who need to be coerced all the time, then you may need to reevaluate what you actually believe about Christ and your relationship to him. Discipleship isn't coercion. It's leading someone that wants to be led further into Someone they want to be led into.
1 comment:
are you sure???
kidding.
sad but true my friend. i would love to meet these people. it's been too long since i have spoken with someone that I don't already know who is earnestly seeking Christ and Christ alone with all their might.
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