Colossians 3:12-17 “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Continuing the lesson by the late Dallas Willard on the Great Commission, he states that the word “discipleship” is defined as: The state of a disciple or follower in doctrines and precepts. Yet, the term has pretty well lost its meaning because of the way it has been misused. The theological right has come to mean preparation for winning souls. But, a gospel of justification alone does not create disciples. On the theological left, discipleship has come to mean some form of social activity or social service. But, a gospel of works alone does not create disciples. The term has currently been ruined so far as any solid psychological and biblical content is concerned. True discipleship is a life of learning from Jesus Christ how to live in the Kingdom of God now. If you want to be a person of grace, then live a holy life of discipleship.
There are also many in evangelical circles who are more stirred up over perfectionism than they are about people continuing in sin. We are all going to have room for improvement as long as we live. There will always be in us a subdued glowing coal from sin ready to burst into a flame of iniquity. Are you planning on it? No, so we cannot have a gospel dealing only with sin. We have to have a gospel that leads us to new life in Christ, and then spirituality can be presented as a natural development of such new life. If we are divided between justification and regeneration in such a way that the gospel is only “believe Jesus died for your sins and you will go to heaven when you die”, we are struck with a theology that is inherently resistant to a vital spirituality. We have come to accept “believe Jesus died for your sins” in a way that does not involve “believe Jesus in everything”. The gospel is new life in Jesus Christ. If this is not taught, then there will be no possibility of spirituality that is theologically sound or a theology that is spiritually vital.
Theological integrity and spiritual vitality involve that inescapability of serious process over time. We cannot continue to hope that lightning is going to strike us and out of this will come glowing with spirituality. What must be done? Willard believes the answer begins with fresh spiritual fire. The fire that burns without the invitation of culture. A fire that engulfs carnality. Let the flames rise until we recall that Jesus Christ is the most dynamic force we will ever release on a decadent society.
Generally expressed, baptism in the Spirit, spiritual experiences, high acts of worship alone do not transform character, though they have a special role in spiritual life. Character is defined by way of distinguished or good qualities are those which are esteemed and respected; and those which are ascribed to a person in common estimation. Willard concludes that the transformation of character comes through learning how to act in concert with Jesus Christ. Godly character is formed through action, and it is transformed by action, including carefully planned and grace-sustained disciples. To enter the path of obedience to Jesus Christ (intending to obey Him and intending to learn whatever we have to learn in order to obey Him) is the true path of spiritual formation or transformation. Follow Jesus!
In Christ, Brian
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