Seeking the Kingdom

I think it's fair to say that Jesus is the only one who can define what a disciple is. What if each denomination, or church, pastor or person who had an interest in Jesus defined disciple as they wanted? Yikes, but I think this isn't far from where we are. So how does Jesus define a disciple? I found a passage that includes one of the most misquoted verses in all of the New Testament. People readily say, 'the truth will set you free'. It's not wise though to cut a passage in half; this 1/2 quote misses the conditions for being set free.

John 8:31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

So holding to Jesus' teaching is the requirement to be a disciple, then a knowledge of truth happens and freedom! How can you hold to some teachings if you do not know them. We are a biblically illiterate culture, even within the church. So what are the chances of us holding to teachings we're unaware of? There has been a renewal of interest in Wesleyan theology in the last few years due to the 400 year anniversarys of the Wesley brothers. We have to learn about and implement the methodology that carried the theology to so many lands. I'm convinced that this methodology was that of Jesus, as Wesley and others studied the Gospels and the life of the early church in order to follow closely to the pattern given.

After a friend read Wesley's definition of 'a Methodist' he said well if that's a Methodist I think I've only met just a few in my life. This friend had grown up largely in 'Methodist circles'. Wesley's definition follows:

"What then is the mark? Who is a Methodist, according to your own account?" I answer: A Methodist is one who has "the love of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost given unto him;" one who "loves the Lord his God with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his mind, and with all his strength." God is the joy of his heart, and the desire of his soul; which is constantly crying out, "Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee! My God and my all! Thou art the strength of my heart, and my portion forever!" He is therefore happy in God, yea, always happy, as having in him "a well of water springing up into everlasting life," and overflowing his soul with peace and joy. "Perfect love" having now "cast out fear," he "rejoices evermore." He "rejoices in the Lord always," even "in God his Saviour;" and in the Father, "through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom he hath now received the atonement." "Having" found "redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of his sins," he cannot but rejoice, whenever he looks back on the horrible pit out of which he is delivered; when he sees "all his transgressions blotted out as a cloud, and his iniquities as a thick cloud." He cannot but rejoice, whenever he looks on the state wherein he now is; "being justified freely, and having peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." For "he that believeth, hath the witness" of this "in himself;" being now the son of God by faith. "Because he is a son, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into his heart, crying, Abba, Father!" And "the Spirit itself beareth witness with his spirit, that he is a child of God." He rejoiceth also, whenever he looks forward, "in hope of the glory that shall be revealed;" yea, this his joy is full, and all his bones cry out, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten me again to a living hope--of an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for me!"

Yusuf Herman a friend from seminary sharing Christ with a leper in Indonesia.