Sunday 4 October 2015

Discipleship - No Dead Works






Scripture: Hebrews 6 v 1- 2:

"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hand, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment."



When we leave behind our sinful life after being born again and baptised, we have many things we once trusted in that we now discover are actually useless. There are many verses of scripture that warn us not to trust dumb idols that neither hear nor speak as they cannot help us. God is saying that He both hears and speaks and can help in times of trouble.



Looking a bit deeper we find that every superstition falls into the category of dead works. Dead works are basically religious things we liked and trusted before we knew what Jesus had done for us. For instance how many people have a medal of St Christopher in their car or round their necks to keep them safe and prevent accidents? It is a dead work. That medal has become a dumb idol that cannot help you. It never could.



Jesus Christ is alive in your heart promising He will never leave you. Promising to protect you and your family day and night; to bring healing, deliverance, comfort and blessing to you all. He says we must have no other gods just Him only. When we put faith in anything other than Him, and it fails, God gets the blame.



Jesus wants us to put away foolish things. He wants us to do the first works like repentance, salvation, baptisms, and basic doctrines which are called the first principles. Then He wants to teach us new and important things that we will need to face the end times. Instead of squabbling about commas and nitpicking over small academic translations, let us rather get on with the business of saving souls.



Jesus wants us to 'go on to perfection'. This means a complete makeover of our imperfect lives. We need to work with Him daily to keep our hearts, mind and flesh free of worldly affairs which distract us from the real purpose of God.



He wants us to be disciples of Jesus. Walking as He walked in spiritual communion with His Father, guided by Him to open blind eyes; heal the lame; raise the dead; walk on water; cleanse the lepers; expel demons into pigs and laying down His life for us. He did not do these things in His stature as Son of God but as Son of Man.



He laid aside His crown for a manger to be born as one of us so that as He applied God's power to overcome the world, we could learn it too. We just need to put faith into action and trust Him to touch people's lives through us, to heal or deliver them. We do not have to be ordained priests to do these things. Just believers who really believe.



I have no idea how far these Bible studies  go or how many lives are blessed or affected by them. My faith is in God to obey Him by doing them and its up to Him who receives them, believes them, puts them into action or forwards them to others. Those who need help seem to find their way through twitter or whatsapp and that always blesses me.



Jesus will bring you to the task or ministry He has for you when you are ready and in the right state of heart and mind. He will discipline you and send you to the ones who need Him most.

So ask Jesus to show you the dead works in your life, home, car or office and get rid of them. Put your trust in Jesus and watch the blessings and abundant life flourish.



Prayer: Father God we do so many foolish things to protect or save ourselves. Please teach us and show us what we really need to do to please You and enjoy Your divine protection always. Turn us into true disciples, Lord, so we may fulfil all You need u to do.  In Jesus' name. Amen.