Deuteronomy 11:26-28 See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse– the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.

Discipleship isn’t all sweetness and light. Popular theology, particularly in the US, tries to say that God is so nice, He would never send anyone but the very worst to hell. The problem is, the blessings of being obedient to God are incalculable, but the problems associated with turning our backs on Him are equally absolute. We have a far too casual view of sin! God spoke through Moses on this occasion in terms of blessings and curses related to life on this earth, because the people had no concept of eternity with God, but in the NT understanding, the gulf between obedience and disobedience is even wider. The better we understand this, the more we understand that we are totally dependent on the grace of God, expressed through the cross of Jesus Christ. We cannot take that grace lightly, because it cost the Son of God His life. Taking it lightly cuts us off from that life, which He gave for us. A major problem today is that we fail to understand that the “other gods” the Bible talks about aren’t necessarily religious at all, they are simply things we allow to take the rightful place of God in our hearts. The possibilities are as widely varied as there are human personalities. Every one of us is called to place God first, in grateful obedience. That is the ultimate foundation of discipleship.

This is very much an issue in my own life, and as a pastor/teacher I am called to make it clear to others as well. The line between legalism and license can be difficult to walk at times, but as Paul said, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. As a disciple, I am to put on Christ consistently and be clothed in Him, being steadily transformed into His likeness. In making disciples, I am to strive to facilitate that process in others. I could no more do it in my own strength than I could transform a frog into a prince. That’s a popular fairy tale motif, and the idea of “self improvement” is just as popular. I am to be a total realist, which means being totally dependent on the power of God working in and through me.

Father, You know my ups and downs, my successes and my failures better than I do. Thank You for Your grace! Help me walk in that more and more fully and lead more and more believers to do the same, so that together we may be what You desire, a people after Your heart who will love and serve and fellowship with You, for Your pleasure and glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!