Imitators not admirers

This week we're reading Chapter 52, 'Our Final Authority', from 'Following the Call - Living the Sermon on the Mount Together' a collection of writings by more than a hundred writers who "call for the formation of a fellowship of disciples who will simply live as Jesus taught us to live." In this chapter, selections from Søren Kierkegaard and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Get yourself a copy and read along with us. www.plough.com/en/topics/fait...
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[@andrewdewitt7234]

So, we finish our 52 studies with a challenge thrown to us by Kierkegaard 'The imitator....aspires to BE (my capitals) what is admired' - taking into account all the challenges that following Jesus brings. Additionally, the reflection that Matthew brings us is that Jesus taught with authority. This is the hallmark, the signature at the bottom of the letter, the monogram on the painting, the proof of authorship that mankind needs to be convinced that Jesus, our Immanuel is the way, the truth and the life. I'd just like to thank Rich and Doreen for the quality and consistency of this video podcast. It's given me something to put my mind in the right place over a Sunday morning cup of coffee before starting my own preparations for Sunday duties. I hope to be able to join you for further explorations in faith in the future. ADW

[@JamieSantos]

I have just recently been pondering this. When I was 18 I was called to be a gardener and a mother when I was 19. I followed the society and went through many depravations and loss of children. Then I was called again to live outside of society in earnest so set about following this call and my husband and I bought a farm. I did not start reading the words of Christ until I was 52. I was astounded that my calling was a Spiritual compelling by Christ himself and that I must do as He instructs. If only I could convince my husband that Christ is alive and well then perhaps he would follow too. As it is now I live on a small farm in Kentucky and rarely leave my home except with my husband to run errands. We do not socialize or partake of society. There is no one who shares our values of a simple and frugal life. It is not enough to "admire" , as you stated, Christ. It rings false when friends and relatives say they are a follower yet partake of the sin in this world. It is painful to watch. Thank you for sharing your studies on this matter. I feel I am not alone now in my convictions.

[@sassy3923]

The Bruderhof are living examples of how to imitate Christ. How many of us in the world who profess to be Christ's followers are true imitators? Didn't Paul say to imitate me as I imitate Christ? Paul was not a philosopher merely espousing Christ's teachings, but actually took up his cross and lived out the gospel while enduring persecution. At first I thought it impossible to be an imitator of Christ the way Paul was because Paul had supernatural powers like Christ, which many of us don't have. But then I thought about Richard Wurmbrand who was a true imitator because he lived the life knowing he could be arrested and tortured for his faith. After 14 years in a communist prison witnessing untold sufferings and horrors, Wurmbrand was finally released, but told God that he would be willing to go back to prison if there was even one more who needed to hear the gospel. Now that's an imitator of Christ! Another young imitator of Christ is Titus Morris, a Kentucky preacher of the gospel who lives out his faith. He is self-disciplined and has sacrificed the comforts of the modern world in order to steer clear of its entrapment. The women also dress modestly wearing skirts and headscarves like Doreen. I would love if he and his community of believers could one day set up a Bruderhof arrangement of living so that they could demonstrate an Acts 2,4 lifestyle to their part of the world like the Bruderhof do. In the meantime, we should be encouraged by all of these living examples of "imitators of Christ."

[@hollandgreen7555]

Forgive me for splitting hairs but Jesus probably wasn't miserable. He was the prince of peace. So the question is how do we find peace and tranquility for ourselves when the world is filled with pain and suffering and despair for so many people? I have not mastered this, but I am sure it's not through the prosperity gospel. That is surely a neverending road of disatisfaction. Through history there are countless examples of wealthy people that found fulfillment through philanthropy--not through acquiring stuff. People work and toil their whole lives to accumulate stuff, and die unfulfilled and leave their stuff behind. Can we give our stuff away while we are living and be not attached to it. We would be much happier to live in the moment and be not attached. We would not fear or angst. And we would be free to love and experience love even through hardships.

[@sassy3923]

Separating from stuff is the hallmark characteristic of the Bruderhof.... a living example for all of us.

[@edwardsolecki6036]

What is our final authority? Such important but overlooked question. Is it an opinion or scripture interpretation of a philosopher, or Catholic leader with the blood of the Inquisition ideology on his/her hands? Or perhaps opinion of Calvin’s follower who never repent for the Servetus murder? Or poet, or corrupted Christian leader? You read that “the tree is being recognised by its fruits” but you don’t know how to apply this knowledge. Consequently your interpretation of the Scriptural Truth is far away from The Truth presented by Jesus. I hope that the next book you will share on line will be called The Bible.

[@sassy3923]

I hope you're not applying this criticism to the Bruderhof. Where exactly do you feel they have erred from the Bible? Their theology may not be perfect, but they are committed to following Christ in a way that most of us have not. The insights Doreen and Rich have brought to light are worth their weight in gold. They are scriptural and edifying. Let's build one another up in love instead of cutting each other down. If you have a specific theological point to make, let's hear it and we'll discuss it together.....

[@edwardsolecki6036]

Thanks sassy for your open heart and I really appreciate your invitation. As "the wounds of a friend, are better than the kisses of an enemy" Prov.27;6 the purpose of my comments is meant to be constructive, as Paul's criticism in 1Cor.3;2 or Hbr.5:12-13 for example. We all like the comfort of the "status quo", but that leads to sleep. My point here is that imitating is not sufficient. Let me give you an example. There is a story in Book of Act 19 about sons of Sceva trying to imitate what Paul was doing. As a result of this "imitating" they were bitten up, and the reason is in the answer of evil spirits; “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” Ac.19;15. This is about our "status in spiritual reality"; who we are in the eyes of spiritual entities, not just what we are doing. Are we "spiritual infants" or are we "mature man". Do we still "on spiritual milk" or on "solid food"? And this has nothing to do with the theology. This is our practical Christianity. This is absolutely more important than living in the community or my denominational theology. Because "Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness". Hebrews 5:13. Please don't take me wrong. I am not against living in a community. I would love to live in a community, but in a community that will act as a "Body of Christ" as described in Eph.4. where EVERYBODY'S purpose is equipping each other using gift they have, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. And what this "fullness of Christ" is? Please let me know if you do. But just for the sake of our discussion, let assume that that means "possessing God's character" as described in 2Ptr.1:4 called also "divine nature". According to Peter, the way to acquire this "divine nature" is not by imitating or living in community, or loving one another, but by "epignosis". (There is no proper word in English to translate this unfortunately). So, let assume that epignosis means "spiritual understanding". Let assume that this is what Jesus is calling "worshiping Father in Spirit and in Truth". If these assumptions are correct "spiritual understanding" is very important as it leads to righteousness. The only way to reach this spiritual understanding is by growing spiritually; meaning being fed by "unpolluted milk" (free from denominational bias), and later on being fed by "solid food". But this is just the beginning of our "following Jesus" way and consequently we all failing at the start being fed by various substitutes of spiritual food. During my visit in Bruderhof I was told that "spiritual growth" is private, and is left to every individual. There is no common Bible studies where every member of Body of Christ can use their gifts to edify each other, or to "examine the spirits" , or to challenge the doctrines to allow reaching "unity of faith", or to know who God is, as there are many ideas (doctrines) about that in The Body of Christ. And I even will not mention the "perfection" what "spiritual maturity" is, as this is a taboo for many Christians. As you can see in my previous comment, the reason for this "state of affairs" is that the Bible is not our final authority. We construct our believes on the opinions of poets, philosophers and so called "fathers" who like in case of Pope's or Calvin are just murderers, and at this same time we preach that "trees are to be judged by its fruits". If you can see that what I am saying here is not in the Truth of the Spirit of the Gospel, please correct me, and I will be grateful to you for eternity.

[@sassy3923]

@@edwardsolecki6036 Wow, there is a lot to unpack here! But let's keep it simple. The Bible is our final authority. Any Christian sect that speaks outside the Word is not to be trusted. Chapter 52 was trying to emphasize that we are not merely to admire or muse over the teachings of Jesus but to put them into practice. This is where the spiritual growth comes in. For example, I really struggled with food addiction. I constantly ate junk food and had no control over in-between meal snacking. I was convicted about this since I know the Word says the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. This means we are to eat the right foods at the right time. It was all about temperance and self-discipline and I had none of that. I hated myself for my weakness and I prayed that God would help me to be an overcomer in this sinful area of my life. Little by little I was able to eliminate the bad foods and my final victory was complete control over what I eat and when I eat. Talk about being set free! It's such a great feeling to be set free from any sinful habit. And that's exactly what Jesus came to do for us. To set us free from sin! Churches today tell people that they can come to Christ as liars, adulterers, homosexuals, etc., but they don't have to change....that God accepts them in their sin and they can stay that way. No. Come as you are, but be prepared to submit to God's perfect will. We can overcome any sinful behavior or attitude through Christ. If we've been a Christian for ten years and can't see any growth over the sinful attitudes and behaviors we had, then something is wrong with our walk. Other areas of growth involve our treatment of others. Are we more patient than when we first got saved? Do we do the right thing even when we are tempted with an easier way out? Are we immersed in our Bible studies? Do we feel a desire to share the Gospel with others? Do we make sacrifices of our time and money even when it's inconvenient? These are some of the examples of living out our Christian walk. This is how we show Christ to the world. Not by what we say, but by what we do. My only concern is what you said about the Bruderhof not studying the Word together. If that's true, I wonder why? Sharing the Word and uncovering the jewels it contains should be a central part of worship at the Bruderhof. Studying the Word edifies, corrects and unifies the body of Christ. Maybe Rich or Doreen can explain this to us.

[@melfros7100]

"What is our final authority?" Final authority is what YOU in your heart feel is best in any given situation. The bible can serve as guide, but it is what happens within your heart that matters most. If you believe you have been gifted with the Light of Creation, then follow your heart. Do not wring your hands in despair. Do not get overwhelmed by conflicting teachings. Cling to what you perceive to be right and open yourself to learning as you walk Life's Pathway. (ASIDE: Bonhoffer believed he was called, against all odds, to become involved in a plot to assassinate Hitler. Imagine! Against all he had previously held true, he non the less felt this call...and it cost him his life.)

[@thomasnabors8164]

@@melfros7100 Our final authority should not be what we in our heart feel. See Proverbs 28:26 which points back to Proverbs 3:5-6 as to where we put our trust. Also see Jeremiah 17:9. I think Adam and Eve believed they were "gifted with the Light of Creation" and followed it to their (and our) downfall.