Is Discipleship Renovation or Transformation?

// December 3rd, 2009 // Christian Living

renovationI’ve been thinking through a sermon series on Discipleship that simply asks the question, “What is a disciple?” and “How do we become one?”.  As I look at examples of what a disciple is in Scripture and how they are made, it actually seems to be far simpler than we have made it out to be.  I don’t think that the Church’s lack of disciples has happened because it’s too hard or too complicated.  I think it may be something else entirely.

I think it comes down to the fact that we don’t actually believe that people can change.  More accurately, we believe the gospel is effective in yanking us from the clutches of Hell, but not much more.  We don’t believe that a person can move from brokenness to wholeness.  We think people can make improvements to their existing set of abilities, but we do NOT believe in transformation.

We talk about the process of sanctification like it’s a kitchen renovation.  Slap some paint on the cabinets, new counter tops and tile the floor.  If you’re really special, get some new appliances.  Underneath it’s the same nasty kitchen, but at least it looks better on the outside.  But I don’t think this is the Biblical perspective.  I think God is a God of transformation.  The gospel transforms us into something completely new.  A new creation.  Not a caterpillar to a butterfly, but rather a whole new species.  New DNA altogether.

God doesn’t renovate.  He guts the kitchen.  Rips it all out and builds it back the way He wants it.  Brand new.

Do you know what this means?  This means that there is no limit to what God can do.  God can take the most broken, most flawed, least talented person and transform them into a hero, a leader, a disciple.

Moses from cowardice and speech impediment to rescuer of Israel.  David from runt shepherd boy to King and friend of God.  Peter from fisherman and denier of Christ to rock of the Church.  Paul from murderer and persecutor of Christians to great apostle of the early Church.

None of them had a lick of potential before Jesus got to them.

Until we get this one simple truth rooted into our thinking, discipleship will remain elitist and ineffective.  We’ll either avoid discipleship altogether or only disciple those that exhibit the most visible potential.

“There are no ordinary people.  You have never talked to a mere mortal.” – CS Lewis

3 Responses to “Is Discipleship Renovation or Transformation?”. Gravatars are enabled.

  1. priscilla says:
    December 3, 2009 at 9:27 pm

    “We believe the gospel is effective in yanking us from the clutches of Hell, but not much more… We think people can make improvements to their existing set of abilities, but we do NOT believe in transformation.”

    I think you are right. I think this is the very heart of why the “church” is so ineffective – at least the way we currently do “church”. If we do not actually believe Jesus will transform us, how in the world can we ever be His disciple and believe He’ll transform others?

    In reading through scripture, I see God transforming many lives – why won’t we believe that He will do the same today?

    Great post Ben. You have put into words what’s been in my heart for a very long time.

    Reply
  2. Kim A. says:
    December 7, 2009 at 6:22 pm

    Ben, I really like this. I think there is another end of the spectrum, which stems from the same Jesus-voided thought pattern. We disciple someone and expect change in our time. Then if they don’t change, or don’t have a radical transformation after your prayer sessions and discussions, we judge our perception of their progress, or worse their level of faith. It’s equally bad, when you expecting nothing or when you expect what you think is right, and in the timing that you want to see it. I have found myself there, and repenting, because it’s the gospel of pride. It says, “I know better than God how to fix this person’s life, so disciple ‘do this’.” It’s that same “patch the problem” mentality you talked about, because what that person really needs is a transformation, and not a patch. It’s a revelation they need, not a temporary fix. I’ve learned from my discipleship relationships the best thing to do is steer them toward Christ, cheer them on in victory, pray with them in repentance, and realize you wear the same flawed earth suit.

    Reply
    • Ben says:
      December 7, 2009 at 6:32 pm

      You’re so right. I think Jesus would say to us, “It’s ok not to be ok. It really is. But it’s not ok to stay that way.”

      He not only says that we can change, grow, transform but he is also the agent of the change. He is the one that transforms us, and he is the one that decides what the end “product” will be. Not us.

      The whole deal is gloriously dependant on him.

      Reply

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