Just what kind of a disciples are we these days? I’m asking the question of everyone, including myself.
What kind of disciples are we? Are we beaten or conquered?
Do we grumble about every inconvenience and every disparaging word spoken against us, as though the rest of the world should praise us for being so perfect?
What are we demonstrating to the world around us when we act as though we’re the ones who wrote the Ten Commandments?
I wonder how many Jerusalem businesses Jesus boycotted? Or how many people He told to remove their tattoos before He’d be seen with them?
Are we more concerned with living a segregated life (making sure we steer clear of anyone remotely associated with something that’s against our religion), than living as the hands and feet of Jesus?
Is our faith heard quite loudly on social media, yet can’t even be seen at our place of employment, or by our next door neighbor?
Are we proud of our disciplines? Are we quick to show others our “disciple marks”, and get mad when those around us don’t appreciate all we do?
Scripture teaches that God scourges every son and daughter He receives into His Kingdom (Hebrews 12). How well do we handle His scourging?
Do we allow the beating but oppose the ruling?
Are we beaten or conquered?
The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, his son in the faith, telling him, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV).
Jesus said basically the same thing.
“Remember the word that I said to you, ’A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also” (John 15:20 NKJV).
Paul knew what it was like to be conquered by the Lord. Over and over he referred to himself as “the prisoner of the Lord Jesus Christ”. Neither the Jews, the Romans, or even Satan himself could control Paul’s destiny. He had allowed the Lord to conquer him, and learned how to be content in every situation.
So are we beaten or conquered?
One way to tell is by listening to what comes out of our mouth. Complaints about our struggles, how bad we have it, etc. reveal the focus of our heart, and the object of our faith.
When you and I are preoccupied with ourselves, we haven’t allowed the Lord to conquer our hearts. While it may be true we’ve let Him clean up our language, thoughts, and the amount of alcohol we consume, we’re still wanting to call the shots and run our lives.
A conquered one is a contented one.
Are we beaten or conquered?
Are we nice acting people or are we prisoners of the Lord Most High?
I can’t answer for you…
Jan Grace 