Spiritual Disciplines, Part 2

Most of us tend to be a little fuzzy on what it means to be a disciple, particularly a disciple of Jesus. Some bible teachers believe that a better understanding of the Greek word that’s translated in our English Bibles as “disciple” would be that of an apprentice. And we tend to understand what an apprentice is--someone who works under the direction of a master to learn the master’s skills so that at some point the apprentice can first replicate the master’s skill and at some point become a master him or herself. 

Of whom are you an apprentice?

You can’t say, “No one” because we’re all being apprenticed by someone or something. Same is true of spiritual formation. The answer to the question, who is forming your spiritual life, isn’t “no one,” because we’re all being formed by someone or something. There’s no neutral ground here. You are being mentored, apprenticed, discipled and spiritually formed, whether you are aware of it or not.  

We’re embarking on a journey to become more like Jesus. That’s what God wants for us—to be transformed into the image of his son. But two things must be understood before departure: that you know to the core of who you are that you are loved by God. And, that you love God enough to show him so by obeying the teachings of Jesus.

This isn’t a journey for the person who wants a little bit of God on the side. Jesus doesn’t give us that option. With Jesus, it’s all or nothing.