Whoever keeps His word, truly in him the love of God is perfected.
This is how we know we are in Him:
The one who says he remains in Him should walk just as He walked.
1 John 2:5-6 (HCSB)
Series: The Gift of Faith
There are triple-duty soaps, cleansers, nail products, vitamins, oils, valves, and more! Working together, each of the three components of the one product performs a specific purpose and promises a desired outcome. These 3-in-1 products provide convenience and hopefully completeness—at least in the areas they service.
As believers in Jesus, we are called into discipleship with Him. Discipleship is a triple-duty process. We follow Jesus; we learn from Jesus; and we live like Jesus.
Everyone’s journey with Jesus looks different. We are wonderfully and uniquely made, and we each have our individual life experiences. However, we can turn to scripture to discover guidelines on what discipleship looks like. Let’s read Luke 17:1-10 (NLT):
One day Jesus said to his disciples, “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin. So watch yourselves! If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.” The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.” The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you! “When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Come in and eat with me’? No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’ And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”
At first glance, this passage seems to be a group of unrelated ramblings of random topics—(forgive me, Lord). However, when we prayerfully dig deeper, the connectivity of the conversation becomes evident and the triple duty of faith is identified.
First, we see the importance of personal responsibility and how our choices may influence others. Sure, what may tempt one may not tempt another. However, as we grow in faith, we have a duty to be aware of how our actions impact others. Wherever we go, someone is watching us. Jesus said we must watch ourselves so we don’t lead others into destruction.
Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NLT), “Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.” We have a responsibility to follow Jesus and invite others to follow Him with us. And, as Paul understood, we are called to influence others in the way Jesus has made for all.
Second, we have a duty to forgive others—especially those who ask for forgiveness. This is not a one-and-done experience, but an ongoing, life-long practice.
The disciples, upon hearing the frequency they must forgive, cried out to Jesus, “Increase our faith!” Why? Because it takes faith in God to forgive. Forgiveness releases everything to God. As we forgive others, we trust God with the consequences, the misunderstandings, the reputations, the pain, the vindication, the restoration, and the victory.
Jesus refers to faith as small as a mustard seed again. God can accomplish miraculous things when a small amount of faith is exercised. A mulberry tree has extensive and damaging roots. When we choose to forgive those who repent, the vast roots of bitterness are ripped out of our hearts and we become free of its destruction.
Third, we are called to willingly and obediently serve God. Our reward in Christ is not from our works, it is only from His finished work. However, our works are a direct expression of our faith, as James taught us (James 2). We have a responsibility to serve God without expecting accolades, rewards, or recognition. It is our duty to serve Him. And doing so should be reward enough. We get to—we don’t have to.
Deuteronomy 13:4 (NASB) says:
You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.
As we follow Jesus, learn from Him, and live like Him, may we remember the triple-duty we carry:
- Personal Responsibility to ourselves and others
- Forgiveness to others
- Willing and Obedient Service to God
Each of these duties will increase as we grow in faith. But there’s no excuse to wait. We are equipped now! A measure of faith has been given to each of us. Allow God to work miracles in your faith walk as you walk out His 3-in-1 purpose in you!
Holding Fast to Hope,
Maryann
Scripture References: 1 John 2:5-6; Luke 17:1-10; 1 Corinthians 11:1; James 2; Deuteronomy 13:4; Romans 12:3
