Chaff Or Wheat?

 25Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26"If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters-yes, even their own life-such a person cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:25-26

....."Our catch-all invitations gather up a motley mixture, a mixed multitude. Screen them with this "cannot" and see how much wheat is left when the chaff is gone." Vance Havner

The church in the last decade or so has become acutely aware of the need for real discipleship. It is seeking to respond, but to what, into what are we discipling them? Someone asked if we are making disciples or clones? Are we making followers of Christ, or adherents to our particular doctrines and theology? Don't misunderstand. I believe a strong understanding of correct biblical doctrine and theological interpretation is deeply important, but do we have more interest in getting people to agree with how our particular group understands it all than we are about making real Christlike followers, disciples of Jesus Christ? Are we more determined to make them Charismatics, Pentecostals, Wesleyans, or Calvinists, than we are that they become full hearted disciples of the King? I am a Wesleyan, steeped in the Wesley teachings on holiness, Holy Spirit filled life. I'm part of a denomination known as the Church of the Nazarene, but I knew long ago in my ministry that He was not calling me to make those He'd given to my care "good Nazarenes," but rather, effective, overcoming, spirit filled and led followers of Christ. In short, not people who first identified with a denominational group, but ones who first and fully identified with Jesus Christ.

Beyond this is an even greater question, as put forth by Havner. In our efforts at discipleship, how deeply do we stress the absolute need of surrender that's involved in it? How much does the idea of our crucifying the self-life enter into it? It's far easier to get someone to declare loyalty to a group than it is the crucified Christ. Speaking of the above Scripture, Havner said, "These words were spoken to a great multitude. We would be flattered by such a following, but our Lord immediately thinned His crowd." Thinning the crowd is the last thought on most of our minds, especially pastors, but what are we really most interested in; a crowd to be counted, or a Body, a Church to powerfully live out His witness? I ask that knowing clearly the tightrope all pastors walk on in choosing between the two. I walked it to some degree for all of my ministry. I think the spiritual state of the western church tells us it is past time to get off of it. We are filled with chaff but the Lord requires wheat.

I think one day we are all going to have to answer the question of what we most wanted to have; a church full of people, or a people filled with God? A church filled with people can offer an amazing amount of people centered things that appeal to individuals and families.....and the flesh. A church filled with Him offers first and foremost, Him. Are we offering chaff or wheat? Are we producing chaff or wheat?

Jesus never said what was involved in being a "casual Christian." He didn't because He never had a concept of such a condition. He only knew what was required in being His disciple. One who could say with Paul, "(for me) to live is Christ." Christ first, last, and all. Which do you and I most resemble? Which does your fellowship and mine most consistently produce?

Blessings,

Pastor O