Disciples are Godly

Last updated on: July 26, 2023 at 2:10 pm by Michael T. Cooper

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Disciples are Godly 2023-07-26T14:10:30-05:00 Michael T. Cooper

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I was a relatively young and immature Christian when I attended the university. And, like many university students, I struggled about a career decision. As I recall, it was a particularly confusing time trying to figure out life. Not unique for certain as it’s a common human experience. So, naturally I called my old high school buddy David to ask what the Bible said about my career. He pointed me to a single verse that changed the trajectory of my future.

“Whatever you eat, drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor 10:31)

No small task for sure. At first blush, it seems idealized now that I’m more than 40 years on the other side of that conversation with David. However, to an overly idealistic university student with nothing but the future ahead, there could not have been a more perfect verse. It’s straight forward simplicity enlivened my imagination. Little did I know then how difficult it would be to practice!

We all need help to live to the glory of God. The Corinthians, to whom Paul wrote this verse, had him to imitate. David became that person to me. He certainly wasn’t Paul, but he was someone I greatly admired and respected for how he faithfully walked with Christ. Then there was Ray and Bud, Rick and Kent, people that l looked to as examples of lives worthy of imitation as they were beautiful examples of following Christ. These men weren’t perfect. No doubt they had times of struggle. Yet, they were passionate to do all to the glory of God. They not only became mentors to me, but spiritual friends.

Spiritual Friends

There are many kinds of spiritual friends in life. Perhaps among my best spiritual friends is my family. For well over half of my life Loré consistently models a life of faithfully following Jesus. Our three adult children in their various careers and challenges at work and in ministry demonstrate to me, not just as a proud father, lives committed to living the gospel wherever they go.

Along with family and friends others comprise a host of my spiritual friends. I recently edited a volume of some of the earliest Christian manuscripts. In many ways, Ignatius, Polycarp, along with the leaders in Rome who wrote 1 Clement, and the authors of Barnabas, Diogentus, and Didache joined a host of people who help me on my spiritual journey.

“Their passion to imitate Christ as a testimony in society challenges me to let my compassion and kindness toward others be a witness like theirs. Indeed, they learned by hearing and observing the lives of the apostles and their disciples as they also imitated Christ. From the historical study of these early Christians, we too can learn to be imitators of Christ. Truly they have become not only my friends along the journey of the Christian life but also my mentors.” (First Christian Voices, pp 1-2)

Godly People

As disciples of Jesus, we are called to be holy. Our lives testify to our faith. No matter the career choice, a disciple works and plays in a manner consistent with what it means to imitate Christ. The sixth qualitative characteristic of the disciples in Ephesus is this:

“Sixth, disciples are godly men and women, employees and employers, husbands and wives, and parents (Eph 5:21– 6:9). The New Testament expects a complete disciple; that is, a discipleship that impacts every facet of an individual’s life including the family and the workplace.” (Ephesiology loc 3751)

Life Together

This is no small task as it’s nearly impossible to accomplish on our own. And, of course, Paul infers as much. So often we read a letter in the New Testament as one written to us individually and lose the original audience along with the author’s intent. Paul wrote primarily to groups of Christ-followers, people doing life together. Even when he wrote to an individual like Timothy, he expected the letter to be read by others. He even greeted them! “The Lord be with your spirit Timothy. Grace be with you all” (2 Tim 4:22; cf 1 Tim 6:21 ; Titus 3:15).

To do life together implied that the disciples met frequently. Since they had daily access to God Himself , they did not forsake such daily gathering (Heb 10:24). Sometimes they worked together but they always sought out opportunities for fellowship. Consider what one of my ancient spiritual friends wrote,

“Every day you will seek out the presence of the saints, either by working together in the word and going to encourage them while considering how to save a soul by the word, or by work with your hands for the redemption of your sins.” (Barnabas 19c in First Christian Voices, p. 151)

How encouraging to know that we are not isolated in our pursuit of godliness. The saints, mentors, family—all our spiritual friends—walk along with us. They encourage, challenge, and provide us examples to follow on the path of godliness.

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