"Lovest Thou Me", Part 2

I desire to continue to share some thoughts that God has placed in my heart with regards to the conversation that Christ has with Peter in John 21. This conversation has provoked some "soul searching" on my part as I think about my desire to follow Christ. Commitment and dedication must play an important role in my life if I am going to be a true and faithful disciple of Christ. Is there a difference between a follower of Christ and a disciple of Christ? I do not desire to split theological hairs so to speak but I sincerely feel the need for all of us to examine our response to the call to discipleship that Jesus extends to those who choose to develop a relationship with Him. Oswald Chambers and other writes have said that "Discipleship is based on devotion to Jesus Christ, not on adherence to a belief or a creed." Doesn't the passage that Jesus spoke in Matthew 16:24-25 move us from being mere followers into the role of disciples? Once more read the Words of Jesus, " Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life of My sake will find it" (NKJV). It seems to me that Jesus is reminding us that if we are to follow after Him we must reach the place of true and sincere devotion. We will never allow the Lord to truly shape our character until we have reached the place of true surrender and commitment to Christ. The flesh (our desires and plans for our lives) will always resist the molding and shaping process of the Spirit. Our human nature will always think and feel that we have a better plan for the fulfillment or completion of our life. But think of the awesome opportunities of spiritual development when we can finally reach the point of surrender to Christ and His leadership over our lives. As we encounter the Spirit of God we are able to fully identify Christ as not only Savior but Lord of our lives. Many of us are comfortable with Christ becoming our Savior but we hesitate when it comes to surrender to His Lordship. Lordship brings direction to our lives, direction brings focus to us, focus brings recognition of the fact that we need to commit to Christ, and finally commitment brings us to the path of maturity and development. The plan of God contains His desire to bring us to spiritual maturity and development. Is it not time for the Body of Christ to desire spiritual maturity? Do you desire to grow/mature in Him or have you become comfortable in your spiritual condition? Cast off the spirit of satisfaction and seek for maturity which can only come through true discipleship. Enjoy your journey with Christ today!