A Call to Discipleship
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Discipleship is sometimes considered a “second tier” in the minds of some believers. It is considered for the “zealous” and “fanatical” rather than what it really is - a true Christ follower! We addressed this issue Sunday with the passage from 1 John 2:6 and as I was looking for the right picture for this post I ran across this quote on Amazon and thought it was appropriate on this issue (I haven’t read the book - yet 
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”When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” With these words, in The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer gave powerful voice to the millions of Christians who believe personal sacrifice is an essential component of faith.” (Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor and theologian, was an exemplar of sacrificial faith: he opposed the Nazis from the first and was eventually imprisoned in Buchenwald and hung by the Gestapo in 1945)**
This is the very thought that John tells us when he says ”whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” (1 John 2:6, ESV) To walk as Christ walked is to live, not by rules, but by an example. It is to follow Him, to be His disciple. This discipleship is personal, active and costly. Jesus said “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” (John 15:8, ESV) and in 1 John 2:5-6 discipleship is in view as we are told that true believers will imitate Christ.
*Photo courtesy of Themishmash **Quote from Amazon Book Page
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Tags: , 1 John, Discipleship, Sermons