There is a simple yet effective formula that we humans use to
learn how to do something and to succeed at things. We learn from others. We seek
out those who have already done what we want to do and learn from them by
talking to them, listening to them or reading their books.
Did you ever wonder where that concept came from? I don’t
know for sure but I do know it is Biblical. When Jesus was putting his plan into
action to teach the world how to be Christians he said to the disciples ‘follow
me’. This meant spend time with me guys. Learn from me. I can teach you how to
be my followers, my disciples.
The Apostle Paul also tells us in the Bible to follow his
model, his example.
That is one way that Christianity has grown through the
centuries. And continues to grow. But it is not the only way. God has given us
the Bible so each of us can learn more about Him and what He wants us to
become. He teaches in the Bible about prayer in Luke, the benefits of fasting
in Acts and Luke, and about meditating in Luke, Matthew, Mark and Proverbs, and
stewardship in Genesis and service in James and other scriptures as ways to become
more like Him.
Prayer, fasting, meditating, stewardship and service are
considered spiritual disciplines. The key word is discipline and for those of
us who are practicing Christians not to discipline ourselves to get closer to
God by doing these things leaves us vulnerable to doubts and false teaching. Plus
we can’t teach others the things to learn unless we know them. These disciplines aren’t about us and
should not be taught as ways that we can control or manipulate God.
There are other things that may happen in our lives that could
bring us close to God but they shouldn’t replace the disciplines. They should
supplement the disciplines. I am talking about things like suffering, God
nudging us, a friend’s rebuke, hurt people we cross paths with, God’s silence
and the corporate worship gatherings
I think all these things help us to better live out the
greatest commandment and that is to love God with all of our heart, soul and
mind and to live out the second commandment that is to love our neighbor as our
self (Mathew 22:37-40).
We should not forget that without faith it is impossible to
please God (Hebrews 1:6). I believe that the more we learn about God the
greater our faith becomes.
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