My Journey of Faith Part 3
Discipleship Taken at a Higher Level Meant Teaching with Depth and Self-Sacrifice.
I experienced great joy in believing in Jesus Christ's saving work during my early years of faith. Fellowship among those with the same experience of a newfound faith was wonderful. However, the older church members did not seem to have the richness of excitement of knowing Jesus and being consumed with sharing the message of the Gospel and the cross born by Him on our behalf. Furthermore, there was an ongoing friction between some of the members.
Then, in 1977, we went to Elohim Bible Institutes as recommended by a dear brother and friend in the Lord, Doc Rogers, who had also attended many years before. The picture of him and his wife, Elsie, is just below. Another brother who discipled me one-on-one in those days was Lane Razer. He and his wife were not much older than my wife and I, but they were older in the Lord.
Discipleship at a Higher Level meant accountability and responsibility for all and not just a select few.
During the 19th Century, the Bible Institutes sent missionaries to all parts of the world. Reflecting over four decades, what stands out in my mind is the oneness of purpose we all shared when we attended school together. We all had one purpose: to glorify Christ by obeying the command to go and make disciples, wherever that might be. Furthermore, there was nothing special about anyone with whom we attended school. Our salvation and passion for Christ separated us from the world, which should never separate us from the rest of Christ's body.
Discipleship at a Higher Level was Donald Perkins
As beneficial as it was to be around Bible-believing Christians, the church left me with a feeling that something was not quite right. Donald Perkins, the Bible Institute president, spent much of his life working with Sudan Interior Missions among the Muslim community. In the year we graduated, he left us a message in the yearbook entitled "NEW DIRECTIONS." He wrote about the Apostle Matthew, "...he frequently companied with the hated representative of the Roman power and other assorted sinners. ...Matthew was considered a traitor to his own nation and people. The religious leaders SCORNED him. They excluded him from the synagogue and hope of heaven alike. A very unlikely prospect indeed.
Then, he also wrote of Simon the Zealot. "Those fiery freedom fighters of the Jews hated everything in any way associated with Roman authority and custom." "He could not tolerate compromise or compromisers. Another unlikely prospect to announce a message of love and forgiveness." "Would ... could two such opposite apostles ever submit to change within and without? How? And where?"
Then came a quote from Acts 1:13, 14: "Matthew ... and Simon the Zealot ... all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication."
He concluded this thought by saying, "Transformation took place when they both submitted to the same Lord. When mere head knowledge became heart trust in God's Savior of men, all former passions and capabilities came under the control of the Spirit of God resulting in new direction of life for the glory of God."
His closing words are these, "The Lord Jesus Christ still calls such as these to walk with Him and to make Him known, but He calls to new love, to new passion, and to new loyalty. And He calls to new directions for life."
"Lay hold of that for which Christ has laid hold of you! The Lord bless you all!"
Discipleship at a Higher Level is always through the Humility of the Discipler
Donald Perkins is undoubtedly one of the most dedicated, self-sacrificing, and humble Christians I have ever known. It was much more likely that you would find him in overalls and working on the school building. He was without pretense, joyful, and fun to be around, but as severe as a heart attack when speaking about Christ and His Gospel. Through him, I have seen Jesus, unlike so many others. Discipleship at a higher level is what our current churches desperately need in my humble opinion.
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