Fully devoted followers of christ
Fully Devoted
A well known "full devotion" statement has several biblical appearances. You probably can quote it. Here is some help, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your _heart_, and with all your _soul_, and with all your _strength_, and with all your _mind_ and your _neighbor_ as yourself." Luke 10.27
Luke 10.25-37
Love God. 1st G activity.
Love people. 2nd G activity.
Do. 3rd G activity. Seek to serve sacrificially. Because the lawyer was looking for some wiggle room, we get Jesus' clarification on this condition for life. The Samaritan not only helped the wounded man, but spent money on him and then wrote a blank check! He served sacrificially. Since it's not about me, I can give all, whole-hearted devotion.
Also look for the "whole hearted" passages like
1 Kings 8.61 "Let your heart therefore be wholly devoted to the Lord"
2 Chronicles 16.9 "The eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.
Luke 10.25-37
Love God. 1st G activity.
Love people. 2nd G activity.
Do. 3rd G activity. Seek to serve sacrificially. Because the lawyer was looking for some wiggle room, we get Jesus' clarification on this condition for life. The Samaritan not only helped the wounded man, but spent money on him and then wrote a blank check! He served sacrificially. Since it's not about me, I can give all, whole-hearted devotion.
Also look for the "whole hearted" passages like
1 Kings 8.61 "Let your heart therefore be wholly devoted to the Lord"
2 Chronicles 16.9 "The eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.
Followers of Christ
Jesus gave his followers a job to do. His followers or disciples are commissioned to make disciples who make disciples, Matthew 28.18-20.
What's a disciple? Am I one? How would I know?
John defines the term disciple telling us what it means to be a follower of Christ. Actually, it is Jesus saying what he means by disciple and John preserving it for us.
Disciples continue in the Word. 1st G activity. Both spending time with Jesus and time in his Word. The first text is John 8.31 "If you continue in the My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine"
The knowledge element of Christ followers, knowing or learning more of the Word and theology in order to better know who God is and what he has done and is doing, in order to become more like him, godly.
Disciples love one another. 2nd G activity. The relational element of Christ followers. John's second text is John 13.35, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." It is not just about holding to a right belief system. Disciples also have to be nice to one another. Love is loving another at 100% even if their return love is only at 80%, 60%, 40% or even a -40%.
Disciples bear fruit. 3rd G activity. Doing what God has designed you to do. John 15.8, "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples." Not only is disciple further defined, but also this 3rd G activity glorifies God - worship!
Spending time in the Word, prepares Christ followers to love one another which also helps them to do what God has designed and equipped them to do. All the supporting tasks culminate in the grand task or mission of making disciples, which by the way, are capable of leading others to maturity in Christ.
What's a disciple? Am I one? How would I know?
John defines the term disciple telling us what it means to be a follower of Christ. Actually, it is Jesus saying what he means by disciple and John preserving it for us.
Disciples continue in the Word. 1st G activity. Both spending time with Jesus and time in his Word. The first text is John 8.31 "If you continue in the My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine"
The knowledge element of Christ followers, knowing or learning more of the Word and theology in order to better know who God is and what he has done and is doing, in order to become more like him, godly.
Disciples love one another. 2nd G activity. The relational element of Christ followers. John's second text is John 13.35, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." It is not just about holding to a right belief system. Disciples also have to be nice to one another. Love is loving another at 100% even if their return love is only at 80%, 60%, 40% or even a -40%.
Disciples bear fruit. 3rd G activity. Doing what God has designed you to do. John 15.8, "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples." Not only is disciple further defined, but also this 3rd G activity glorifies God - worship!
Spending time in the Word, prepares Christ followers to love one another which also helps them to do what God has designed and equipped them to do. All the supporting tasks culminate in the grand task or mission of making disciples, which by the way, are capable of leading others to maturity in Christ.