Lordship and why it needs to be explained immediately to a new believer
Written by Frank Meitz
Pick any believer in any church and they will either see God as their master or God as their partner. They will see themselves as fitting into God's plan or they will see God fitting into their plan. This is why we need spiritual mentoring immediately when a person accepts the Lord - to help them understand the principal of Lordship.
Simply put, God wants to manage my life. Is that hard to understand? Is it hard to understand that God wants to manage my life and He has a plan for my life?
Typically, new believers do not have a problem with Lordship. Why? Because they have just come to the bottom of the barrel. There is nowhere but up. They realize that they were on their way to hell. They have messed up, and God has saved them, and they are nothing. Maybe they lost everything before they came to the Lord. Now you tell them you've made a mess of your life, but God has forgiven you and God has a plan your life and He wants to manage it. That’s GOOD news!
NEW BELIEVERS VS. OLDER BELIEVERS
New believers are open to Lordship but older believers are resistant to Lordship. Typically, the way God breaks down this resistance is through crisis. Take a believer that has been in jail or learns they have cancer and they are immediately open to the concept of Lordship.
Sometimes older believers who come to the “end of the rope” say, “I've been a Christian for 15 years and something is missing”, and they reach out to God and ask Him to now manage their life. And the Lord says “I've been waiting 15 years to hear you say that.”
LORDSHIP IS A CONTROL ISSUE.
Let’s compare King David and King Saul.
King David messed up, but God was in control of his life. King Saul, however, didn't mess up as much as King David but God was not in control of his life. And we know who’s star is on the flag of Israel.
BEYOND LORDSHIP
So, let’s say that you realize that God needs to be in control of your life. Having realized that, now you need to know how to abide.
Many Christians will acknowledge the Lordship of Christ over their life but if they don't know how to abide, they will not be a healthy Christian. In other words, you may see God as your master but if you don't know how to cooperate with Him in your personal growth, you will struggle in your Christian walk.
Just last week I heard it said of a believer of many years, “I always thought that God wants me to do my best and when I can’t manage, or I can't cope then I call on Hiom. No one ever told me that God wants to be the One that manages my life. I just thought He wanted me to behave "correctly!”
And this occurs because no one has ever told them (this truth).
That is why DTI exists – To equip faithful men and women to explain biblical truths to all believers, but especially new believers, so that they don’t wander in the Spiritual Desert.
How do I discern what God’s will is for me, so that I make choices and decisions that align with His perspective, rather than trusting in my human understanding, resulting in decisions that are less than His best for me?
Why are some Christians reluctant to make a commitment to mentoring a new believer?
Written by Frank MeitzBelow is taken from the YouVersion Bible app plan, "The Bible in One Year with Nick Gumbel" (Day 175) with my commentary inserted (in italics).
Have you given up mentoring because you can’t meet in person? This article will give ideas, tips and tools for navigating the new virtual “normal.“
Below are five common questions we receive and the answers and resources we provide to help you implement a vibrant discipleship culture in your church.
Our passion to help believers grow to spiritual maturity, spiritual fruitfulness, and spiritual reproduction in Christ is knit together with our desire to be true to Scripture.
We believe there are some foundational principles that all believers, especially newer believers, need to understand and internalize. Often Biblical “knowledge” is presented to new Christians rather than personalized instruction of Biblical “principles” to apply in their lives to help them mature more rapidly.
More...
04/17/2019 - DTI-Frank & Jeannette - News from Cuba Conference!
Written by Frank MeitzHow Discipleship is Presented in a Typical Modern Church Congregation
Many believers don't know where they are spiritually. This diagnostic tool is intended to help mentors and mentees evaluate where they are in relation to four "spiritual catagories."
Blog