- Mar 3, 2018
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Hello brothers and sisters,
Forgive me for the potentially offensive title.
My question is related to the title. We know that the Lord warned against following those who are blind since both shall fall into a ditch, but I am perplexed as to how people arrive to the conclusion that they are no longer blind and that they are now fit to guide others, presumably, not into a pit but to the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Jesus Christ. Of course, there are many definitions of "discipleship", depending on your tradition, sect, denomination, etc.
From my perspective, it seems reasonable that the earliest Christians followed those whom God had appointed as Apostles. It seems reasonable to have followed those whom the Apostles themselves appointed as presbyters and deacons and bishops, etc. Why? Because the Holy Spirit Himself chose worthy men of God to lead and feed the flock of then Lord. Nowadays, however, we see men who have appointed themselves as guides of the blind and teachers of babes, deluded by an evil spirit into thinking that they are something when they are nothing, deceiving themselves.
I come from a Southern Baptist background that taught everyone to almost immediately begin "making disciples" of all nations. What I saw, instead, mostly in myself, was that I was not even truly a disciple of Christ since I was led hither and thither by my sinful habits. Looking back, I marvel at my hypocrisy and how arrogant I was to consider myself someone who had so quickly been made worthy by God to mentor and lead others to the kingdom of Heaven, to Christ Himself. I had the audacity to say, "Follow me as I follow Christ." But, in truth, I did not follow Christ but the antichrist, Satan himself. Sure, I knew many scriptures by heart, I knew theology, but my deeds did not match my words. inappropriate content, masturbation, fornication, marijuana, pride, gossip, slander, evil suspicions, gluttony, greed, covetousness, vanity, lust, the list goes on. We all sin! I know that. God doesn't expect those who are making disciples to be perfect. I know that! On my part, I felt deep remorse for many of these grave sins, while I felt nothing for some of the other sins on this list, mostly because I was simply unaware of their presence in my soul. I also did my best to repent of the sins I was aware of, but I repeatedly kept falling down. Yes, I know, this is the Christian struggle. But seriously? In this pitiful and wretched stated, I was the sort of person who thought it was a good idea to disciple others! How outrageously wicked. I do not even want to know the extent to which I damaged other people's souls, lest I fall into despair.
Why am I making this post? Because I would like everyone to learn from my horrible mistakes. Secondly, I would like to challenge those of you who live with grievous sinful habits that you have not repented of (meaning, you are no longer captive to these sins and you no longer do them!). For, if you cannot find healing for your own soul with the grace of God, how do you expect to be of any use to others, especially those whom you mentor or give guidance to? With your prayers? Perhaps, although I remember those severe words of the apostle James which say that the prayers of a righteous man avails much. And the blind man in the Gospel according to John says, If any do the will of God, him God hears. (However, this is a side topic. Allow me to resume.) How can you say any word of edification or exhortation if you yourself are ignorant of the Way to purifying your sinful habits? What sort of instruction can you provide others? Would it not be better to remain silent than to subvert souls into perdition since you yourself are a blind guide? And I address both pastors and laity who mentor others. Nay, this even applies to siblings and parents. Please, someone, explain this madness; explain how you persist in offering advice coming from darkness rather than light, from opaqueness rather than clarity, from sinfulness rather than sanctity. It makes no sense to me now, but--once upon a time--in the height of demonic pride, such a proposition of discipleship made all the sense in the world to me, perhaps for no other cause than to inflate my ego, that is, my pride.
I realize that my rhetoric is not honey to the eyes. Please forgive me if I have offended you! This was not my intent. Although I also would not be surprised if some responded like the Sanhedrin: "When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. (Acts 5:33)"
Thank you for reading.
Forgive me for the potentially offensive title.
My question is related to the title. We know that the Lord warned against following those who are blind since both shall fall into a ditch, but I am perplexed as to how people arrive to the conclusion that they are no longer blind and that they are now fit to guide others, presumably, not into a pit but to the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Jesus Christ. Of course, there are many definitions of "discipleship", depending on your tradition, sect, denomination, etc.
From my perspective, it seems reasonable that the earliest Christians followed those whom God had appointed as Apostles. It seems reasonable to have followed those whom the Apostles themselves appointed as presbyters and deacons and bishops, etc. Why? Because the Holy Spirit Himself chose worthy men of God to lead and feed the flock of then Lord. Nowadays, however, we see men who have appointed themselves as guides of the blind and teachers of babes, deluded by an evil spirit into thinking that they are something when they are nothing, deceiving themselves.
I come from a Southern Baptist background that taught everyone to almost immediately begin "making disciples" of all nations. What I saw, instead, mostly in myself, was that I was not even truly a disciple of Christ since I was led hither and thither by my sinful habits. Looking back, I marvel at my hypocrisy and how arrogant I was to consider myself someone who had so quickly been made worthy by God to mentor and lead others to the kingdom of Heaven, to Christ Himself. I had the audacity to say, "Follow me as I follow Christ." But, in truth, I did not follow Christ but the antichrist, Satan himself. Sure, I knew many scriptures by heart, I knew theology, but my deeds did not match my words. inappropriate content, masturbation, fornication, marijuana, pride, gossip, slander, evil suspicions, gluttony, greed, covetousness, vanity, lust, the list goes on. We all sin! I know that. God doesn't expect those who are making disciples to be perfect. I know that! On my part, I felt deep remorse for many of these grave sins, while I felt nothing for some of the other sins on this list, mostly because I was simply unaware of their presence in my soul. I also did my best to repent of the sins I was aware of, but I repeatedly kept falling down. Yes, I know, this is the Christian struggle. But seriously? In this pitiful and wretched stated, I was the sort of person who thought it was a good idea to disciple others! How outrageously wicked. I do not even want to know the extent to which I damaged other people's souls, lest I fall into despair.
Why am I making this post? Because I would like everyone to learn from my horrible mistakes. Secondly, I would like to challenge those of you who live with grievous sinful habits that you have not repented of (meaning, you are no longer captive to these sins and you no longer do them!). For, if you cannot find healing for your own soul with the grace of God, how do you expect to be of any use to others, especially those whom you mentor or give guidance to? With your prayers? Perhaps, although I remember those severe words of the apostle James which say that the prayers of a righteous man avails much. And the blind man in the Gospel according to John says, If any do the will of God, him God hears. (However, this is a side topic. Allow me to resume.) How can you say any word of edification or exhortation if you yourself are ignorant of the Way to purifying your sinful habits? What sort of instruction can you provide others? Would it not be better to remain silent than to subvert souls into perdition since you yourself are a blind guide? And I address both pastors and laity who mentor others. Nay, this even applies to siblings and parents. Please, someone, explain this madness; explain how you persist in offering advice coming from darkness rather than light, from opaqueness rather than clarity, from sinfulness rather than sanctity. It makes no sense to me now, but--once upon a time--in the height of demonic pride, such a proposition of discipleship made all the sense in the world to me, perhaps for no other cause than to inflate my ego, that is, my pride.
I realize that my rhetoric is not honey to the eyes. Please forgive me if I have offended you! This was not my intent. Although I also would not be surprised if some responded like the Sanhedrin: "When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. (Acts 5:33)"
Thank you for reading.
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