Ignore Defined
There are many ways to look at the word ignore. Ignore comes in different flavors. Ignoring can be disregarding, snubbing, dismissing, brushing something or someone aside, brushing off, pushing aside, neglecting, or even rejecting.
When it comes to Jesus, there are certainly different potential responses we see in our world. Some reject him. Some acknowledge him on some level and then neglect him. We can accept him on some level but reject (ignore) some of what he says and commands. We can accept him and trust him for things regarding our eternal future, and so we should. Or perhaps we should realize that accepting him for eternity can still result in ignoring him.
To fully regard, accept, know and follow him is called discipleship. Actually, it is really transformational discipleship. It is conformity discipleship. It is not fire escape Jesus or eternal life insurance Jesus. Discipleship is being and following.
Transactional Jesus Explained
Forgiveness: Do I only want forgiveness without following? Then I want transactional Jesus.
Salvation: Do I want everlasting life without a serving life? Then I want the transactional Jesus.
Justification: Do I want right standing but no right going? Then I want transactional Jesus.
Sanctification: Do I want to have Christ without desiring to be like him? Give me transactional Jesus.
Admiration: Do I want to be an admirer of Jesus, or do I desire to be conformed to his image?
Transforming Discipleship
This morning as I was reading Greg Ogden’s book, Transforming Discipleship, I realized that far too many hear the gospel as an accounting transaction. It certainly is that, but it is far more. Here are some selections from this excellent book.
What Jesus Said About Disciples
John 8:31-32 “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”’
John 13:35 “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 15:8 “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”
How to Identify a Follower of Jesus
They seek to make disciples. It isn’t just about presenting Jesus as a ticket to heaven.
Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”
Five Minute Friday
This post is part of the weekly Five-Minute Friday link-up.
All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.
Know Your Flocks & Herds 
“Oh, come, let us ignore Him!”
To most, that’s what it really means,
allowing them their fatal grim
and self-serving dreams.
Christ is now a smiling fool
who mouths what puppet-masters say,
a dupe to modern ridicule
who says, “Hey, dude, it’s all OK,
carry yourselves on in sin,
do the thing you want to do.
Heaven? Yeah, I’ll get you in,
’cause there’s nothing that is true
in Scripture to which some refer
except the things that you prefer.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lord, help us to recognize where we are ignoring You – and draw our hearts to pursue you instead! Popping by fro the FMF link-up –where we both talked about ignoring Jesus! Blessings!
LikeLiked by 1 person