Jesus was not born full grown either spiritually or physically. If he had not been like us in all ways he could not be our example. He had to be made like his brethren in everything. His brethren were not born full-grown and Jesus had to grow like they grew. He was not born with all wisdom but grew in it (Luke 2:52). God sent Jesus to be like we are so he could be an example or us to follow. Jesus grew by following in his Father’s spiritual steps when his Father showed him those steps (John 5:19, 20). He grew until he had the complete love of God (Heb. 2:10, James 1:2-4; 1 John 2:5). We are also commanded to follow the Father like Jesus did (Mt 5:48). We follow our Father by walking in Christ’s love as he loved the apostles while he was on earth (John 13:34-35). We are to follow Christ to grow in his image (Col. 3:10) for he is in the image of the Father (Col. 1:15). Not all of God’s children grow. Laodicea, Galatia and many other Christians are examples of brethren who forgot their calling (Rev. 3:14-17, Gal. 5:7-9, Heb.12:5,6). God’s faithful children are in the process of being “. . . changed into the same image, from glory to glory” (2 Cor. 3:18). The word ‘changed’ in this scripture is the word metamorphoo (present indicative tense), which tells us that this is a continuing process for those who are exercised by our Father’s chastening (Heb 12:11). As children grow physically, so God’s children are to grow in heart in a continuing process. Jesus grew in favor with God as he grew in all of the parts of love (Luke 2:52; James 2:2-4). He did not run the race so that we don’t have to run it (Heb. 12:1-3) but we are to follow in his steps (1 Pet. 2:21).
New Testament Discipleship is Attainable
Some discount any possibility that we could ever be like Christ. To them, he was too great. They believe that no one could ever walk in his steps. They imagine that on earth Jesus was 100 % in God’s nature and 100% in man’s nature at the same time. That is not good mathematics or science either. It is even worse Bible. It is excellent imagination. Jesus is the Creator God. He created this world (Heb. 1:2), which makes him our God. This is a matter of history. No one can change history. True facts of past events will always be true facts of past events. The fact that he created this world can never be taken away from him. Everything that exists, the Father created through the Son (Col. 1:16,17). No matter where Jesus is, no matter what form he is in, no matter what situation he is in, he will always remain our Creator. In that historic sense, Jesus was, and always will be 100% God. However, when it comes to the nature that he took on while he was on earth, we have different facts. It is a fact that he left off the divine nature (his form of God) and, for that brief 33 year period, took on the form of a man (man’s nature) and was made like unto his brethren in all ways.
The scriptures state that “in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren . . .” (Heb. 2:17). There was no difference between Jesus’ nature and his brethren’s nature in anything. Jesus’ brethren were not 100% God’s nature and 100% man’s nature at the same time. If Jesus were like his brethren in all things (which he was), he could not have been both natures at the same time. It was essential for him to be like his brethren in all things in order to be tempted in all points like they were (Heb. 4:15). He suffered by being tempted (Heb. 2:18) which is the way he learned obedience (Heb. 5:8). There are only certain ways man can be tempted, and Jesus was tempted in every one of those ways (1 Cor. 10:13). God the Father can not be tempted with evil (James 1:13). Jesus was tempted with evil. This shows us again that Jesus was not 100% God during the time he was in the earthly form of man. Jesus left off God’s divine form for a brief 33 years so that he could be tempted. Without being in the form of God, how could he be 100% God? At the very least he lacked the form of God. Jesus grew in wisdom. (Luke 2:52). If he were 100% God, how could he grow in wisdom? Jesus came to walk run the race ahead of us that God has set before us. “. . .let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:1,2). Jesus did this to leave us “ . . . an example, that ye should follow his steps” (1 Pet. 2:21). We must conclude that during that brief 33 year period Jesus indeed was made like his brethren in all things – 100% man.
True Discipleship Is Based In The Heart Of Christ
Let us first consider the heart. Jesus warned his disciples to: “Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy” (Luke 12:1). He identified the Pharisees’ leaven as hypocrisy. They were blind to the value of the inner man but they knew the value of having the right actions in the sight of men. Thus they thus had to pretend to love God from the heart. They, in fact, had a very different motive. They intended to do all they did to be seen by men (Matt. 23:5). They pretended that what they did was only for God. The long prayers were not really to God but for those who were listening. If we are to be transformed into the image of Christ, our righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees (Matt. 5:20). They formed the outward man, but we must form the inward man first.
Now let us look more closely at Jesus’ inner man. Jesus invites us to follow him in his meekness and lowliness of heart (Matt. 11:28-30). The complete disciple not only does as his Master but “shall be as his Master” (Luke 6:40). Forming the outer actions without forming the inner heart is hypocrisy. Forming the inner and outer man is righteousness. We are commanded to “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus . . .” (Phil. 2:5-9). He was humble enough to leave off God’s divine form to take on man’s lowly earthly form which was very humbling (Phil. 2:6). He tells plainly that Jesus mind was humble (Phil. 2:7, 8). This was not just a common humility. His humility was great enough to submit to death in order to obey his Father (Phil. 2:8). Though he plead with the Father to let the cup pass from him, he was willing to submit even unto the death of the cross, which is the greatest humility possible (Phil. 2:8). We are directed to have this marvelously humble mind as Jesus did.
If these WWJD men were to form their inner man, they would surely be transformed by the renewing of their mind (Rom. 12:2). Jesus grew in wisdom and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52) These are some very beautiful steps. If these men were to grow in more wisdom, that wisdom would remain. Jesus was meek and lowly in heart (Matt. 11:28,29). Jesus was very compassionate toward those who were in need (Luke 7:13). If their hearts were transformed till they became more meek, lowly and compassionate like Jesus in heart, they would had to have asked a different question. Rather than ask “What Jesus would do,” they would have to ask “What is the heart of Christ?” This can begin the process that will transform them into that image of Christ (Col. 3:10). They would have obeyed the Lord’s command to cleanse the inside first (Matt. 23:26) and thus be true disciples.
GROWING TO BE LIKE THE MASTER
Once a person had been raised to walk in the new life, his pathway was directed to become like the master (Luke 6: 40). He must grow the way the master determines, not way he would like to grow. There are two possible ways in which one can grow to the be “like Christ;” one correct and the other false. The first way a man can be like Christ is to do the same deeds and outward actions he did. This would be to imitate Christ. Jesus helped the sick and poor. We can imitate the same deeds. This is following Christ on the outward man. We can follow this pathway of imitating Jesus’ outward actions even to the point of giving our bodies to be burned. However, if our inner man is not first formed in love, there is no profit (1 Cor. 13:1-3).
The second way we can follow in the pathway to grow into Christ’s spiritual image in heart and mind. Jesus called men to follow him by learning of his meek and lowly heart (Matt. 11:28-30). Paul prayed that the Ephesians would grow to be like Christ on the inner man (Eph. 3:14-19). The Pharisees did not consider their eternal inner nature and so could not follow Christ (Matt. 23:23-28). Jesus requires the formation of the eternal inner man first (Matt. 23:26).
Today we have those who have made an agreement to follow “in his steps.” Their lives become very different. They begin to walk in Jesus steps. Their outward actions are generally ‘as Jesus would do.’ They “outwardly appear righteous unto men” (Matt. 23:28). Before they make any decision they ask “WWJD,” which is “What would Jesus do?” and then do it. They are not hearers only. The aim is toward the outward action that Jesus would have done in their same situation. Is the change permanent? Sadly enough, this is not New Testament discipleship.
These souls believe that by doing good things, the heart will then become good. If that were true – the Pharisees would have been clean and pure in heart. Jesus testified that the Pharisees “indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness” (Matt. 23:27). Outwardly their actions were righteous. If their outward righteousness had made them inwardly righteous, then the Pharisees would have been pure in heart. Jesus testifies that the Pharisees aimed to make certain that their outward actions were pleasing to men (Matt. 23:5). They succeeded. Jesus testified that their hearts had not been formed in righteousness say that (Mt 23:27, 28). These WWJD men today make certain their outward actions are correct. Is that enough? Jesus testified that it was not enough for the Pharisee. Jesus declared that the inner man must be formed first. How many do not make the conclusion that if we just do the work of faith and labor of love on the outward man, that this will in turn form the inner man? That method is a mistaken notion. It did not work for the Pharisee. The problem was that their hearts were not right and doing the outward actions did not change their hearts. Jesus said: “Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also” (Matt. 23:26).
First things must come first. We all know that giving our bodies to be burned without first forming love in the inner man is of no profit to God or to us. Unless we form that love in the inner man first, all of our ‘walking in his steps’ will avail little. How, then, is the inner man formed?
“THIS IS AN HARD SAYING; WHO CAN HEAR IT?”
Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life (John 6:60-63).
Jesus’ teaching often seems hard. These disciples would not endure his teaching. Many left him. The primary problem was that they did not understand his teaching. Today, we find men rejecting parts of his teaching because they are too hard. He warned us that:
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (2 Tim. 4:3-4).
Sound doctrine must be endured. Those who will not endure can not be saved. We must be among these who will endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 2:3,4). We must endure and hear even that teaching which appears to be unacceptable. Abraham heard some horrifying words when the Lord commanded him to offer his son as an offering on a certain mountain, but he endured them. We must walk in Abraham’s steps though the words may seem too hard. “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able” (1 Cor. 10:13). The teaching of Luke 14 is not too hard for faithful men. It is first principle doctrine, for Jesus used these very principles to convert the multitude to be his disciples.
Two parables enforce Jesus’ conclusion (Luke 14:28-33). The conclusion to both parables is stated in verse 33: “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” That is the requirement – forsaking all that we have. He is not talking about leaving all of the material things that we have. We know that because John was the disciple Jesus loved, yet he still owned his own home (John 19:27). We must forsake all that we have in the sense of 2 Corinthians 5:15 and Mark 8:35. Jesus died so that we would forsake all that we have. “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Cor. 5:15). When we forsake all living for ourselves we turn to live only for Christ. There is nothing that we can hold on to if we are going to be Jesus’ disciples. He describes the same principle as plainly in Mark 8:35: “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.” Jesus warned all men that the gate that leads to life is ‘strait’ (Matt. 7:13,14), which is difficult to navigate. It is not easy to enter. Jesus said “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able” (Luke 13:24). Jesus knew that the entrance was not easy. These are the very principles he used to make disciples. Now we consider the two parables Jesus used to make disciples which prove the conclusion – the necessity to forsake all in order to be his disciple.
The first parable to illustrate his conclusion is that of a man building a tower. The principle is that he must first count the cost to see if he has enough to build the tower (Luke 14:28). There is a cost to being Jesus’ disciple.
For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish (Luke 14:28-30).
It is only sensible to count the cost before we begin anything, especially following Christ. If we begin the pathway to be like Christ we need to fulfill that goal. What will it cost us to be like Christ? The cost is not in terms of material things. Jesus said that the cost is to forsake all that we have (Luke 14:33), to lose our life for Christ’s sake (Luke 9:24). We should be looking at what we get for the price, rather than just consider the cost! The product we receive is be fully like Christ (Luke 6:40). We get to build a spiritual house or tower – the heart of Christ. It is costly, but look at what we get! The parable of the pearl of great price and the parable of the great treasure in the field teaches the same thing (Matt. 13:44-46). The treasure or the pearl required them to go and sell all that they had. It is not just whether we get the treasure or the pearl. If we don’t get them, we get to end up in torment. Jesus warns us: “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it” (Mark 8:35). If we begin to build and turn back, all that see will begin to mock saying this man began and was not able to finish. Jesus applies this same principle in the next two verses where he talks about salt that has lost its saltness. It is of no value to God or man (Luke 14:34,35). “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). Similarly, if we begin the pathway to become like Christ but do not finish, we are a mockery to ourselves as well as to Christ – and are worse off than if we had never started.
For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them (2 Pet. 2:20-21).
What is the cost? Jesus requires a man to first determine that he will pray the price to become like him. This price is not anything of physical value, but includes a willingness to suffer and lose all that we have in order to follow in his steps (1 Pet. 2:18-23).
The second parable is the captain of an army which is going to war against his enemy. It also proves that we must forsake all to be his disciple (Luke 14:31-33). The captain must make a decision to fight or surrender.
Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace (Luke 14:31,32).
The enemy is twice as strong as the king. How does this apply to the disciple of Christ? The disciple of Christ is called to fight and to be victorious in a war (1 Tim. 6:12). He is not called to war after the flesh, with fleshly weapons (2 Cor. 10:3-5), but he is to fight a spiritual battle against spiritual wickedness (Eph. 6:12). Satan is at least twice as strong as we are! We do not want to make peace with our enemy. The price of accepting conditions of peace means subservience. The price of peace with Satan is eternal slavery. It is far too dear a price. Winning the battle is the only other alternative. To win, we must forsake every earthly purpose and goal (all that we have) in order to win the spiritual battle. Timothy was commanded to: ”Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life” (1 Tim. 6:12). If Timothy already had eternal life why command him to lay hold on it? When we determine to follow Christ we agree to go to war against Satan. We must fight with all we are and have, if we expect to win. If we will not forsake all that we have in order to fight and win that battle, we will surely lose that war. If we will not agree to forsake all of our own earthly hopes, purpose and goals to win this fight, Jesus will not accept us as his disciples (Luke 14:33). This is not an unfair requirement, for God reminds us: “Behold, all souls are mine” (Eze. 18:4). We belong to him.
All of this translates to making disciples the way that Jesus made disciples. To make a disciple we must 1) convince a man that all souls belong to God. 2) that man has an eternal inner man which God ordains be formed in the image of Christ. Further, we must 3) persuade him that he needs to turn away from all masters but Jesus. We must 4) convince him to determine to take up his cross daily to put his old man to death so that he can 5) follow Christ in order to grow to have a mind and heart like his. He must count the cost and determine to pay the price, for Jesus to accept him. Once a man has become a disciple of Christ, his old man of self has been crucified with Christ and he is then ready to be buried. Crucifixion takes place when a man determines the he will not longer live for himself (2 Cor. 5:15). Baptism is not a crucifixion – Baptism is a burial. If there is no crucifixion, we can immerse a man in water as many times as we like, but nothing will happen. The crucifixion must take place before a genuine burial can occur. In crucifixion his old man (who was living for himself) is hand the crucified old man of sin is destroyed in the watery grave. Only then can the new man rise to grow in a new life (Rom. 6:4). When this happens all of the old is passed away and literally everything is made new (2 Cor. 5:17) because the very purpose of our existence and actions has changed from living for self to living only for Jesus (2 Cor. 5:15).
MULIEBRAL VIEWPOINT 