Are we willing to let go of our nets?

Not every Christian is a disciple. It was probably about 22 years ago or so that I figured that one out.

Becoming a Christian is accomplished by simply doing one thing and one thing only: believing (having faith, trust in) Jesus Christ. The implication in saving faith is that your trust in Him is 100%, meaning you have rejected whatever else you may have trusted in prior to your salvation (good works; baptism; church membership, etc,) and now have only one "savior". After all, 100% leaves room for nothing else.

The move from being a "saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone" Christian to a disciple (a learner) is Christ's goal for every believer. Believing in Jesus secures my eternity and gives me new life and a relationship with God that sin had prevented. A disciple is a believer who has determined to move forward on a path that will mature him/her in that relationship as he/she discovers more and more about this life in Christ.

It's my belief that the path to discipleship begins when a believer submits to the ordinance of believers' baptism. Why? Because it is a commandment Jesus gave, and to be a disciple implies I'm learning obedience to His commands. Baptism (which in the New Testament always followed belief) is an act of submission to Christ and an identification with His people. It's the first step of many that can follow.

So that I don't end up writing a book, I'll continue this post later. But here's where my mind is going: When Jesus called the fishermen (Peter and Andrew, James and John) it seems rather obvious that to follow Him meant they had to give some things up.

Letting go of habits and things that have been a part of our identity can be the hardest thing to do. More soon.