What Does a Follower of Jesus Really Look Like?
I wonder if we will ever get it. I'm talking about the Church, in general, and individual Christians, in particular, about what pleases God. OK, to tell the truth, I'm talking about me.
I still don't get it. I mean really get it. I've been to some form of Christian school most of my life (literally!) and in the ministry for over 20 years and am now pastoring a church. Yet I still don't regularly practice that which Scripture makes clear pleases God.
Let me try and get to the heart of this: I've been reading Isaiah which starts right off the bat talking about God's priorities. God makes very clear that sacrifices are not what He is after (in any form, including the kind that we might offer today...religious ritual, good works in order to obtain merit or favor, singing, etc. In other words, things that in reality cost the "worshiper" little). In fact, even "sacrifices of praise" are of little value if that is the extent of our relationship. Rather, God seems focussed on the care given to others in His name; really being "other-centered."
The Israelites were practically wiped out by God because of their unfaithfulness, though He saved a remnant for Himself for His own glory. The people seemed content to remain in their sin all the while continuing to offer bulls and goats in hopes of appeasing God.
God didn't buy it. He can't be fooled even when it looks good on the outside. He said in Isaiah 1, even though you come with your hands spread out, I will not look and I will not listen. Even our beautiful music and hands raised high do not impress God when the life doesn't follow suit in real ways according to what pleases Him most. Instead, Scripture seems to indicate that He hates it (v. 14). Then He tells us what He wants:
Later, in Galatians 2, Paul, while explaining his credentials as an apostle, tells of how he was accepted by Peter, James and John and charged by them to take the Gospel to the Gentiles, "only they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do." (verse 10)
Finally, James explains in his book (1:27) that "religion that is pure and undefiled before God is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world."
Clearly, this is the heartbeat of God. It is what Jesus spent a great deal of His time on earth doing and I will not truly be a disciple/follower of Christ...we will not be the Church...until we commit our lives to doing the same thing.
I still don't get it. I mean really get it. I've been to some form of Christian school most of my life (literally!) and in the ministry for over 20 years and am now pastoring a church. Yet I still don't regularly practice that which Scripture makes clear pleases God.
Let me try and get to the heart of this: I've been reading Isaiah which starts right off the bat talking about God's priorities. God makes very clear that sacrifices are not what He is after (in any form, including the kind that we might offer today...religious ritual, good works in order to obtain merit or favor, singing, etc. In other words, things that in reality cost the "worshiper" little). In fact, even "sacrifices of praise" are of little value if that is the extent of our relationship. Rather, God seems focussed on the care given to others in His name; really being "other-centered."
The Israelites were practically wiped out by God because of their unfaithfulness, though He saved a remnant for Himself for His own glory. The people seemed content to remain in their sin all the while continuing to offer bulls and goats in hopes of appeasing God.
God didn't buy it. He can't be fooled even when it looks good on the outside. He said in Isaiah 1, even though you come with your hands spread out, I will not look and I will not listen. Even our beautiful music and hands raised high do not impress God when the life doesn't follow suit in real ways according to what pleases Him most. Instead, Scripture seems to indicate that He hates it (v. 14). Then He tells us what He wants:
1. Clean yourselves; stop doing evil.How similar this sounds to what He says in Micah. The Lord makes clear that He is not pleased with the emptiness of burnt offerings which require nothing from the ones who are making them. Instead, in 6:8 He tells us that He requires a life dedicated to those things which are important to Him:
2. Learn to do good.
3. Seek Justice.
4. Correct oppression.
5. Bring justice to the fatherless (orphans).
6. Plead the widows cause.
1. Do justice.This is not just an Old Testament idea. Jesus, Himself, made clear what His priorities are in Matthew 25 when he declared that His sheep are those who gave drink to the thirsty, clothed the naked, took in the stranger, fed the hungry and visited the sick and imprisoned. The goats were those who refused to do so, yet looked like sheep outwardly (presumably the ones who looked religious).
2. Love mercy.
3. Walk humbly with Him.
Later, in Galatians 2, Paul, while explaining his credentials as an apostle, tells of how he was accepted by Peter, James and John and charged by them to take the Gospel to the Gentiles, "only they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do." (verse 10)
Finally, James explains in his book (1:27) that "religion that is pure and undefiled before God is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world."
Clearly, this is the heartbeat of God. It is what Jesus spent a great deal of His time on earth doing and I will not truly be a disciple/follower of Christ...we will not be the Church...until we commit our lives to doing the same thing.
Labels: Christian, David C. Price, disciple, discipleship, orphans, poor, widows
posted by DAVID C. PRICE at 2/07/2007 10:10:00 AM
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2 Comments:
David, this is a powerful message that we all need to hear. I am personally in the same boat on this one. I have been studying intensely the past few years, but it means nothing to me if I don't put it to action. The Word tells me "that if I know what is good, and I don't do it- I am sinning." It's such a struggle to live this out on a consistant basis. I appreciate your honesty and your heart for God!
wow that was a great post, thank you for sharing.
I'm not a "professional" in the religion dept. but you can read what I've been learning the past few weeks if you would like, http://meekwisdom.blogspot.com not that I have it all together lol.
take care
heartnsoul
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/HeartnSoul
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