I love the last part, “God is our Father, not a tradesman. Does a good father demand actions from a child before offering his love (I said “good” father)? Does a good father wait for his child to grow up and prove himself before he takes the child into his home? So why do we think of God this way? Everything God has for us, He has already given, which means it is up to us to seek it, accept it, and live it.”

Peace!

I agree with your clarification. I would say my statement is that BECOMING is a better word than DOING, but not contrary to it. BECOMING requires action as much as DOING, but I am trying to better define the goal.

“Discipleship isn’t about DOING it is about BECOMING.”

There is no doubt that we should not be doing things for God in hopes of attaining selfish desires. However, God HAS called us to be “doers”. Ephesians 2:10 says,

“For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them.”

The things we do should be in response to God’s love and grace, because we cannot really become like Jesus if we are not obedient to our heavenly Father. So in this way, DOING is certainly part of BECOMING. As you say, we strive to become what Christ intended us to be, which is a people who are obedient to him and willing to go out into the world and preach the good news, care for the poor, and love others the way he first loved us.

Thanks for your great post, I found it through the Christianity section of reddit.com and will keep an eye on your site in the future.

It is in this life (the Lord told us) that we will have trouble. This isn’t a joy ride, and our fortune does not determine our favor, and blessings come in many forms too. I think of the blind man that Jesus healed after the disciples asked a rather pagan question (why is he blind… who’s sin?). The mans problem was not due to God looking down with a frown on him or his parents, but it was a tool to glorify God. I loved this line you wrote “Our fortunes don’t improve, they just become less relevant.”

You hit the nail on the head. Life isn’t supposed to be health and wealth. We are supposed to become partakers of the divine will. What should we expect? Nothing less difficult than the life of Christ. People hated Him, He was poor, He grew tired and ultimately, He was killed. But through the human life, He showed us the way. The way of the cross!

I rally liked this one Chris. Christians (myself included) due well to remember these things. Far to often do we make bargains as a knee jerk reaction. God through His grace wants to rewire us. He doesn’t want us thinking about ourselves. Instead, He desires for us to lay down our lives in obedience. We die to ourselves, and that means throwing our bargains on the alter and lighting a match.

God is worthy to be praised!

-g-