Discipleship: No Room For Half-Heartedness

Matthew 12 :26 says "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour." These words of Jesus leave no doubt as to where His disciples are to be found. They will be engaged in the works that He invested His life in! As far as what that might entail; Acts 10:38 tells us that the Master went about doing good, ministering healing to those who were oppressed by the devil!

Such "living definitions" of discipleship are rare, indeed, today! American Christianity has been, by-and-large, reduced to sound bites, claiming promises, boasting of being "blessed and highly favored" while making little, if any, discernible impact for the Kingdom of God!

The church in America has before it a God-given opportunity to help the greatest single group of "oppressed" people right now! The pre-born who are being murdered at the rate of 3,000 per day are in need of those, with voices, who will plead their case! The innocent blood of these precious little ones is crying out for justice today, while the best that most "disciples" can offer is a "like" on facebook!

Do professed followers of Jesus Christ sincerely believe that the One who spoke of little children with a holy compassion will accept this token intercession from His church?

Are "believers" so engrossed in the things of the world that their ears are closed and their hearts are untouched by the plight of these babies who are being ruthlessly murdered and bartered on the open markets of this ungodly nation?

We have seen the homosexuals, who comprise about 3% of this country's population, bring radical change to the laws of the land in just a short time; why won't the 30+% who call themselves Christians awake from their world-induced slumber and pray, call, write, email- lift up our collective voice as a trumpet, and speak out in defense of these helpless victims!

The only realistic answer to such a question would be that, there simply isn't enough concern! In other words: "We just don't care"!

It's amazing how much we hear of "awesome worship services", "powerful altar times", and "inspiring messages". My question is: Why are such "mighty encounters" with the Lord producing so little results in His people!

My conclusion is that most times of "awesome worship" are no more than jam-sessions that excite the flesh! Powerful altar times are simply venting of emotions, and inspiring messages are thinly veiled pop-psychology that tells us how great we are!

Genuine disciples of Jesus Christ are salt and light! Salt will make a difference! Light will reveal and dispel darkness! Those who are truly indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God will be engaged in Kingdom business!

I guess that the pertinent consideration is this: Will we be among those who want to aggressively defend their increasing conformity to the world, while they chase after the latest music, trends, and manifestations; or will we follow the Lord, as true disciples, dare to live a holy, separated life, and speak truth to our generation through all available means?

The book of Ecclesiastes speaks of a time to mourn. If the rapid decline of this nation, marked by the embracing of sodomites and the murder of babies, will not bring the church to a position of contrition, repentance, intercession and proclamation; then, of a truth, we can write "Ichabod" (the glory has departed) over the doors of the buildings across this land that call themselves "houses of God"!