MEAT FOR MATURITY – DISCIPLESHIP

Last week our post on discernment was “Discernment is the guardian of the soul.” This post takes a look at discernment as described in the New Testament. Depending on the bible translation, several different Greek words are translated as “discernment” in the New Testament. The various words all have the sense of the word “judge” and most instances are based on the Greek word krino which means to judge. But aren’t we supposed to avoid judging? In Matthew 7:1 Jesus told his disciples not to judge lest they be judged. However, this does not appear to mean that we should never judge others, for in verse 5 he says that once we get rid of our own fault we can then see clearly (in other words, judge) to take the “speck” from someone else’s “eye”. Also, in verse 6 he explains that we shouldn’t throw our “pearls” (wisdom, etcetera) before Continue Reading →

‘My Father will honor the one who serves me.” John 12:26, ESV. Jesus promises that when we become the servant of Jesus then the Father will honor us one day. God originally made humans with honor and he wanted this honor to grow. He made us in his image and though it is broken he gave us a new self with a restored image of God. This is our true self and one day it will be fully developed. Scripture states in many places that God will honor us, usually by saying he will glorify us! (For example, Matt. 13:43; Rom. 8:17, 21; 2 Cor. 4:17; Col. 3:4; Phil. 3:21; 1 Pet. 5:10; 2 Pet. 1:3.) Originally, as image-bearers of God we were supposed to be fruitful and fill the earth. We would have been highly honored in this work. In the next age we will have responsibilities such as Continue Reading →