Whatever we accept as our Spiritual Authority determines whether we continually strive to change, mature, or improve in Christian obedience. Christ’s didache alone, with equally strict adherence to the Holy Spirit’s presence, provides the stimulus disciples need for progressive maturity in faith.
The little orphan Oliver Twist had only to summon his empty stomach for the courage to ask Mr. Bumble, “Please, sir, I want some more.” In turn the beadle refused the request. But Jesus doesn’t wait for us to ask for more power to achieve more fruitfulness. He offers it readily, insists we take it willingly and actualize it successfully. The nature of Christian discipleship demands we DESIRE to grow in it. We can’t simultaneously want Jesus to save us completely while we obey him partially; to save us to the uttermost of his ability, then allow us to spiritually serve him to the least of ours. That post-modern nonsense will lead us into a religious dead-end of ritualized church membership that convinces no one, not even its practitioner; and keeps the church a tame, harmless kitten, not cubs of the Lion of Judah. Christian astronaut James Irwin found God’s way to growth while on the moon. He had a problem with his Moon Rover. He puzzled over it, speculated about it, tried every possible mechanical way to fix it. Then, not knowing what else to do, he prayed for guidance and heard a voice say, “Get on your knees.” He did, saw the problem and fixed it. There’s a parable in Irwin’s story. If we, in our pride, our education, our careers, our programs, continue looking for the POWER to be dynamic Christians making a difference in life, God will let us continue to fail. But if we PRAY for his help to grow in Christ-likeness—“Get on our knees,”—his mercy never fails; he helps continually; he instructs flawlessly; he inspires potently; he empowers profoundly. The strongest position any Christian can take is KNEELING before God in Christ. End Part III
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