Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23 NIV
When Jesus walked in Israel, he was followed by large crowds seeking to see a miracle. He was followed by individuals he healed. He was followed by the Pharisees who hoped to catch him in a sin. He was followed by women who cared for his needs. Jesus told all of them that to become his disciples they must do more than follow him. They must also deny themselves and take up their cross daily. Jesus said this because he wants more than a mesmerized crowd of groupies. Jesus wants disciples.
A disciple is considered to be a person who professes to follow Christ. A disciple is also an ardent pupil of someone else’s doctrine. Following Jesus begins with repentance and an expressed need to be led. For some people this transition happens quickly in an epiphany of emotions. For others the process develops slowly over time. Whether we come to Christ suddenly or slowly, Jesus welcomes us into his kingdom and cares for us with the gentle patience of an experienced leader.
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.1 Timothy 1:16 NIV
Paul wrote 1 Timothy and declared himself to previously be a blasphemer, persecutor, and violent man. Yet he was thankful that God allowed him to minister to others and spread the good news to many. During Paul’s bad behavior, Jesus confronted him on the Damascus road and blinded him for a time. Paul was given his sight back and began preaching that Jesus was the Christ. But he soon faced persecution from his fellow Jews. Then Paul went into the Arabian desert for three years (Gal. 1:15-18.) Afterwards Paul went to Jerusalem to meet with Peter.
Paul wrote many books of the New Testament. Yet he was not ready to fulfill God’s call for several years after his conversion. Jesus does not expect our conversion to transform us into perfectly wise and obedient Christians. Jesus knows this will take time and effort. Paul was raised as a Pharisee and he was well versed in the Old Testament. But after his conversion he needed time before he was ready to teach others about Jesus.
Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:4 NIV
God is patient with us for our good. God knows we need time to change and learn. It takes time to read the Bible and learn of God’s ways, to learn of the things which please God. It also takes time to give up bad habits and to commit ourselves to a new way of life. God works through us to make the change possible but we have a part to play. We must choose to follow God every day. We must choose obedience by doing the things he tells us to do. As we read the Bible and pray, we learn of the behaviors in our life that need to change. When we commit ourselves to change, God walks with us giving us the strength to change. Then we will begin to live a life pleasing to God.
so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. Colossians 1:10-12 NIV
From Colossians 1 we see how God changes us over time to lead a life that well please him. We begin by bearing fruit through good works. Good fruit comes from healthy well cared for trees. Newly planted fruit trees should be pruned for three years to produce a plentiful crop. Pruning takes off dead branches and suckers growing up from the ground. It also thins out the branches to let the sunshine into the tree. This is similar to what God does to us. He prunes the dead branches in our lives, things which we need to separate from or things which hold us back from the good God wants for us. He prunes the branches which prevent God’s light from shining in our lives. These are mindless activities which waste our time or people who constantly pull us away from good intentions.
As we engage in Bible study and prayer, we grow in the knowledge of God. We begin to understand what is pleasing to him. Then God will give us the strength to do the things which please him and the strength to let go of the things which do not please him. Through this process we develop endurance and patience. We become people who are able to run the race of living a godly life. We become people whose life is an example to others of what God can and will do.
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2 NIV
We become Christians who have the patience to help others and to walk with others as they change and grow into mature Christians. We are prepared in every season of life to do the things God has prepared for us to do. As we study the Bible and lean on God for our understanding, we learn to guide others towards godly living through gentle correction, rebuke, and encouragement. We learn to administer to others the same patience and carful instruction which we received from God. We become more like Jesus the good shepherd and less like our old selves.
He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. Micah 5:4 NIV