THE DISCIPLE AND GOVERMENT

Lots of controversies and arguments have been raised in recent years regarding the disciple’s involvement with politics and government. In this article I give my humble opinion.

The disciple’s allegiance is to Christ and His Word. Regarding local or global political involvement, we are not called to promote or go against any form of government. Our authority comes from our Lord and His Word, which is above any political view or ideology.

With and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can operate under any type of government and be loyal to it, up to the point where we are required to compromise our testimony or deny the Lord.

We are not called to conspire against any form of government. The apostle Paul example and teachings are clear regarding the Christian’s submission to government authorities. We read in Romans 13:1 that “everyone must obey state authorities, because no authority exists without God’s permission, and the existing authorities have been put there by God.”

We are commanded to pray and share the good news with those in government positions as written in 1st Timothy 2:1-4 “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

As Christians, we are to proclaim the gospel to all people; this calling we received from God (Mark 16:15.) We are ambassadors of Christ (2nd Corinthians 5:20). We are just passing by; as Peter called us “we are aliens and strangers in this world” (1st Peter 2:11) and as Jesus also declared to His disciples: “My kingdom does not belong to this world; if my Kingdom belonged to this world, my followers would fight” John18:36

People need a fulfilling eternal solution, which is only found in Jesus, rather than a temporal empty remedy. Government and political ideologies will never bring the peace that only Jesus can give to the heart.

OUR ALL – Principles of Discipleship Part 9 (Wealth continued)

To continue with the theme of the disciple and wealth, a true follower of Jesus sees himself as a conduit used by God to touch others, not only in the spiritual realm sharing the gospel and the Word with others, but also in others areas of need. In 1st John 3:17 we read “If anyone has material possession and sees his brother in need, but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?”

When we read Jesus’ parable of the bad steward found in Luke 16:1-13, we conclude that the lost are wiser, more aggressive and take more risk preparing for the future on earth, than the Christians are in preparing for their future in heaven. Jesus’ practical application in found in verse 9 where He says: “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”

Real disciples use their material possessions to win other for Christ. A day is coming when, either by death or by the rapture, those friends won by the wise use of our wealth, will receive us as part of a welcoming committee when wee enter heaven.

The only way that we can lay up our treasure in heaven is by investing into something, or better said “someone” that is going to heaven.

OUR ALL – Principles of Discipleship Part 9 (Wealth)

What did Jesus mean when He said in Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”?

As Christ’s disciples, we need to understand the urgency of using our time and resources for reaching others with the gospel. If we had the cure for cancer, and we wouldn’t share it, we would be considered very selfish. We have something more precious than the cure for cancer; we have the cure for eternal damnation separated from God in a place of eternal torment. “Salvation” is in our hands, we must do whatever it takes to share the antidote with as many as possible.

Don’t live a careless lifestyle. Use the resources God gives you to win others for Christ. Another passage where Jesus spoke about this is found in Luke 16:9 “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” Our “things” can be used for eternal purposes, in which case it would be a treasure in heaven, or it could be use for selfish means, in which case is a treasure on earth.

This is not a call to be poor; this is a call to use the wealth the Lord provides you with for His glory. Live boldly for Him!

OUR ALL – Principles of Discipleship Part 9 (forsake all)

One of Jesus’ hardest quotes regarding the requirements for a disciple is found in Luke 14:33 where it says: “Any of you who does not give up everything he has, cannot be my disciple.” Many Bible scholars have tried to interpret this passage by saying that it doesn’t really mean what it says, but it is evident by the way the disciples acted as the Lord Jesus called them for service that they understood exactly what Jesus meant. Forsake all means forsake all, nothing more, nothing less.

A true disciple is able to abandon it all for the sake of the call. He uses the resources God places in his hands for the advancement of the gospel. This doesn’t mean that he doesn’t work. On the contrary, he labors hard to provide for his family and those in need. He understands the Lord’s commandment when He said “Do not store for yourselves treasures on earth.” Matthew 6:19

By forsaking it all, the disciple offers to God that which he cannot keep anyway. One day, we will be before the Lord and we will give an account for what we did with our life. These words seem distant now, but believe me, one day they will be a reality for you and me. Jim Elliot, a famous missionary said it well: “he is no fool who gives that which he cannot keep, to gain that which he cannot lose.”

One of my favorite verses is Philippians 3:8, where the apostle Paul wrote: “More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.”

Rich Mullins wrote in one of his songs that “The stuff of Earth competes for the allegiance I owe only to the Giver of all good things .” Lord, release our lives from the temporary so that we may take hold of the eternal. Amen

OUR ALL – Principles of Discipleship Part 8 (be fruitful)

A disciple's life is also marked by being fruitful. The Lord said in John 15:8 "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciple." There are two aspects to being fruitful, an internal and an external.

The first one has to do with our character. We read in Galatians 5:22-23 that "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." These are all character traits that can only be manifested when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, and living our lives in such way will bring glory to God.

The second aspect is the external, and it has to do with bringing glory to God by winning people for Christ. The Bible says that if we are truly following Christ, we will be reaching others with His message. Jesus said: "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19 God has appointed us with the task of bringing much fruit, and that this fruit would remain. It is our responsibility to obey. Jesus said in John 15:16 "You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain."

Whether it be the fruit of the Spirit or people won for Him, He wants us to produce much of it, and that it would remain. By doing this, we prove to be His disciples.

OUR ALL – Principles of Discipleship Part 7 (love the Word)

Christ’s followers also love and are passionately devoted to His Word. They love to spend time listening to what God has to say. Can you imagine? We actually have access to God’s Word. That is an incredible privilege, that mere imperfect humans as we are, are able to listen to God speak through His Word.

Jesus said “If you continue in my word, you are really my disciples.” John 8:31. To finish strong in a race, we most prepare as much as we can, and what better way than to fill our minds with God’s Word. Allegiance to God’s Word is a continual desire for those that truly follow Jesus. Our love for God is directly related to our love for His Word. Jesus said in John 14:21 that “Whoever knows and obeys my commandments is the person who loves me.”

There are so many benefits to reading and putting the Bible into practice, that I would run out of space, but I just want to mention a few:
- It brings happiness to our lives. Psalm 11:2
- It helps us be pure. Psalm 119:9
- It helps us not to sin. Palm 119:11
- It fills our lives with joy. Psalm 119:14
- It revives us. Palm 119:25

Wanna know more? Read the whole Psalm; it’s all about God’s blessings us through His Word.

OUR ALL – Principles of Discipleship Part 6 (Follow Jesus)

So far we've defined the life of a true disciple as one that:
- Loves the Lord more than anything

- Loves others

- Forsakes self

- Carries his cross

Now we continue reading in Luke 9:23 where Jesus said "if anyone would come after me, he must... follow me." That means that we would want to be as He is, we would want to walk as He walked. Of course, no one can be like Christ in His deity, because He alone is God, but we can be like Him in His character and ministry. As a matter of fact, He said: "I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you." John 13:15. To do this requires sacrifice. It requires a daily strength that can only come through the power of His Holy Spirit. We cannot do it on our own; we need Him. The apostle Paul said that his desire for the believers was that Christ would be formed in them. Read it for yourselves: "Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I'm going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives." Galatians 4:19 Oh, but the benefits, and the joy is unsurpassing! There is nothing better in this world than to follow Jesus!

The apostle Peter wrote: "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."1st Peter 2:21 Those that are called are the believers, the disciples, and we were called for the purpose of following in His steps. This means a life of zeal and expenditure for His interests, His Kingdom, a life of passion for Him and those that belong to Him, a life filled with His Holy Spirit.

OUR ALL – Principles of Discipleship Part 5 (carry your cross)

Our quest is to find out what Jesus had to say about what it means to be a real disciple. In today's Christianity, the meaning has been watered-down; as a matter of fact, the term is hardly used. Many would be offended by Jesus' hard standards, and many have diluted Christianity to an easy going, comfortable lifestyle, pretty much like the lifestyle of the rich and famous with some Bible seasoning. This is contrary to what Jesus taught in the Bible.

Real Christianity, the one we read in the Book, is a lifestyle where the cross is being carried by those who confess His name. "If anyone would come after me, he must carry his cross daily" are the words echoed by our Savior. And I don't mean a crucifix; the cross is a symbol of suffering, of rejection, of being dammed, a symbol of reproach, dishonor and scorn.

Those that decide to follow Him closely are also willing to accept the scorns given first to our Lord. Jesus said that "It is enough for a disciple to be like his teacher and a slave to be like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they do the same to those of his household!" Those that turn back are not worthy of carrying the name of a disciple. Matthew 10:25. The Apostle Paul said that "some avoid the cross of Christ to avoid being persecuted" Galatians 6:10

I love the way the Message Bible puts it (plain and clear): "Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there's no getting around it." 2nd Timothy 3:12

OUR ALL - Principles of Discipleship Part 4 (deny yourself)

Self very often gets in the way in our pursue for God's standards for discipleship. The Lord spoke of a complete submission to Him and a denial of self (not self denial, but a denial of self.) Jesus said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" Luke 9:23. When a soldier enlists, he or she denies his/her rights to do as he/she pleases. He/she has offered his/her "all" to serve and obey the commands of others. He or she will obey the commands of any higher rank officer without questions asked, or else it might be taken as an act of disobedience, or insubordination.

When we enlist in our Savior's army as a disciple, we are willingly renouncing to do our own will. Our happiness and joy is to obey our higher rank Officer our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Anything else would be considered insubordination and disrespect, and we would fall short of His standard for discipleship.

The apostle Paul put it plainly when he wrote: "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me." Galatians 2:20

OUR ALL – Principles of Discipleship Part 3 (love one another)

Another ingredient of a true disciple is “sincere love for others.” The Bible is full of passages telling us to love one another. Because of our nature, it is easy and natural to love only those who are nice to us, but Christ’s love, which was poured into our hearts by His Holy Spirit, goes beyond our natural tendencies and abilities.

This is the love that suffers all, that is not easily provoked, that bears, that believes, and that hope all things as described in 1st Corinthians 13. To love is difficult and many a times impossible, that’s the reason we need our Lord. He says that “with God, all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26. Do you want to experience true, sincere love for others? Draw near to Him. "If we don’t love, we don’t know God, for God is love” as it says in 1st John 4:8. Again, our Lord made it clear that if we do not have this type of love for one another, we fall short of having the privilege to be called His disciples. “By this will all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35

OUR ALL - Principles of Discipleship Part 2 (love for God)

In our last article we read about Jesus' requirements for discipleship. Wow! What does Jesus mean when He says "If anyone comes to me and doesn’t hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brother and sister, yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple”?

Our love and devotion for our Savior would seem as hatred in comparison to the love for our family members. Let me give you an example: you are a follower of Christ and your spouse is asking you to lie in your taxes so that you can get a larger income tax return, but you want to please God by not lying. Your spouse may take that as a rejection and may say that you don’t love her/him. This verse doesn’t mean at all that we must hate others, for the Bible doesn’t contradict itself (love one another.) It does mean that we are to have a love so deep and strong for our Lord manifested through our obedience, that others would perceive it as if they are second place, that they are not important, or that they are hated. This is the kind of love that we should have for Him; anything short of that would disqualify me as a true follower or disciple of Christ.

Jesus says: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." Luke 10:27

OUR ALL - Principles of Discipleship Part 1 (Love for God)

Jesus is seeking for men and women that would give Him their all. Jesus wants first place in your life, not the spare times, or the weekends, or Sunday mornings. Men and women, who have truly understood our Savior’s love, are also prepare to go through the path of self renunciation for Him. Grasping grace so abounding, love so amazing can never be quenched with nothing less than the complete surrender of our lives.

With respect to our Lord’s Words, they cannot be misinterpreted, misunderstood. His Words are clear. If we accept the fact that medical students give their all for pursuing a medical career, if we accept the fact that soldiers give their lives for patriotic reasons, we most accept the demands that the Lord gives to those that are to be called His disciples.

Many Christians see Christianity as a mere escape from hell, as a free ride to heaven, but is much more than that. The abundant life in Christ has been confused with a life of luxury, with hardly any sacrifice. We find very difficult to reconcile our lives with those very strong radical teachings of our Lord and Savior.

To have a correct understanding of Jesus’ love for us is the beginning to start living a fully devoted life for Him. When we grasp the fact that the Creator of the universe became a man to suffer and die for our sins, then we start to love Him in return. A thousand years of daily devotion and service to Him wouldn’t be enough as thanksgiving for what He has done for us. Our love for Him ought to be above all other loves, including self. Jesus said: “If anyone comes to me and doesn’t hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brother and sister, yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26