Clay in the Hands

We started a college and young singles Bible study class at our church two weeks ago.  We are going through a study that focuses on what it means to truly be a disciple of Jesus.

The study is called In the Dust of the Rabbi and it is written by Ray Vander Laan.  Our lesson yesterday painted a picture of what being a disciple meant in the first century.   It was a life choice – a commitment to dedicate one’s life to follow a rabbi (in some cases, 24 hours per day) in order to become like him.  When Jesus selected his disciples, they gave up everything to follow and learn from him.

As we worked through the study, a statement came up that has haunted me since.  It is this:  “If I am not completely and passionately committed to following Jesus with everything I have, then I really cannot call myself a disciple in the Biblical sense.”

Has the term disciple become so common that we forget the significance of the word and the ramifications of its meaning?

I challenged the class to do something this week that will bring them closer to Jesus – to being more like him.  I then assigned one of the class members (thanks Coe) to hold me accountable to the same challenge.

Will you take the challenge this week?  What will you do to become more like Jesus this week?

Last night I had the blessings of speaking to college students at their weekly worship service On Campus.  My topic was a challenge for them to take the reigns of their generation and rise up to make a difference for Jesus in the world.  I used 1 Timothy 4:1-12 as the text.  In this passage of scripture, Paul addresses Timothy, a young follower, and tells him, “don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young.”  He goes on to tell Timothy to live by example.  As I went through this passage with the students, I was reminded that what Paul was telling Timothy was not only good insight for a young person, but it is a challenge for all ages.

In verse 7, Paul says we should train ourselves to be godly.  And then in verse 12 he says this: “set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”

If we are to live godly lives, we must do it by example and our godliness should be visible in everything we do – specifically in the way we talk, not only the words we use but how we use them and the attitude behind them.  Our lives should be an example of godliness – the way we live, our priorities and our passions.  The way we love is a reflection of our godliness as well.  Do you love others as Jesus does, or is your love geared more towards what you can get out of the relationship?  Godliness is obvious in where we put our faith.  We can tell people all day long that we are followers of Jesus, but if we put more faith in our money or our own abilities than in Jesus then who are we fooling?  Purity also reflects our godliness.  Are your intentions pure in your dealings with others?  How honest are you as a person?

If we are truly to impact this world with the hope and love that following Jesus has to offer, then we must lead godly lives and our godliness (or lack there of) will be reflected in the way we live.

Live godly today!