Discipleship – Grace Evangelical Society

When Culture Seeks Revenge, the Church Seeks the Good (1 Thessalonians 5:15)

May 4, 2021 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - church life, Discipleship, one another commands

Someone asked me how to cultivate a “culture of grace” in his church. That is precisely the right kind of question to ask. Grace should not only define the saving message (Eph 2:8-9), but the entire Christian life, including church life. Paul said we are no longer under law but under grace (Rom 6:14), and

Why You Can’t Help Everyone and Shouldn’t Try

April 30, 2021 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - church life, Discipleship, ecclesiology, Watchman Nee

You can’t help everyone. You may want to. You may think you need to. And your consistent inability to meet every single genuine need around you may disappoint you. After all, the people around you are hurting, with problems, challenges, and questions to address. But do they all need to be addressed by you? You

Don’t Complain About One Another (James 5:9)

April 28, 2021 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - church life, Discipleship, one another, spirituality

C. S. Lewis once said, “Hell begins with a grumbling mood, always complaining, always blaming others.” You don’t have to agree with Lewis’s eschatology to know that grumbling is ungodly. Sad to say, James had to warn his readers against it—providing us with another “one another” command: Therefore be patient, brothers and sisters, until the

Don’t Put Your Brother Down (James 4:11)

April 22, 2021 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - church life, Discipleship, James, one another commands, tongue, wisdom

George Harrison once passed a church billboard that read, “Gossip: The Devil’s Radio… Don’t Be a Broadcaster.” That message hit home. Because he was a Beatle, the press gossiped about him constantly, and it hurt. It inspired Harrison to write the song “Devil’s Radio.” Isn’t it interesting that even a non-Christian can understand and be

Should Christians Kiss One Another? (1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; Romans 16:16; 1 Peter 5:14)

April 14, 2021 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - church life, Discipleship, ecclesiology, kiss, kissing, one another commands, spirituality

I grew up in a French city where it was customary to greet people with a double-cheeked kiss. At least, that was normal among my French relatives. Meanwhile, my British/English circles preferred a firm handshake or nod of the head—or, if they felt especially informal, a quick hug. I have been studying the many “one

Don’t Confuse Coming to Jesus with Coming After Jesus

March 17, 2021 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Discipleship, Salvation, veterans

Knowing the difference between salvation and discipleship can make all the difference to your Christian walk. And confusing the two can be devastating to it. Lucas Kitchen wrote a neat little book on this difference (see here). You see, God wants you to be eternally saved. And He also wants you to be a disciple.

Be of the Same Mind as One Another (Romans 12:16)

March 4, 2021 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - church life, Discipleship, mind, mindset, one another

Jesus came to save you as a member of a family, as part of a body, called out to live as a member of the church. And you express church life through a “thick” community. Frankly, I find it hard to connect with people at church. Sunday mornings are not set up for developing deep

How Do You Know If You Are Spiritually Mature?

February 1, 2021 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - community, Discipleship, spiritual maturity

How do you know if you are spiritually mature? Assurance of eternal salvation comes from believing Jesus’ promise of everlasting life (John 3:16). But knowing if you are spiritual mature is a different issue. It is not something you can easily decide for yourself, and maybe you shouldn’t decide for yourself. Instead, that seems to

Saved by Grace, Devoted to Good Works (Titus 3:1-8)

January 28, 2021 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Discipleship, good works, Grace, Titus

If the new birth depends on believing, not working, then where do good works fit into the Christian life? I think Paul’s letter to Titus summarizes the “grace” attitude to good works. Consider this passage: Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak

The New Testament Understanding of Following Jesus

January 22, 2021 by Bob Wilkin in Blog - Discipleship, evangelism, Following Jesus, imitating Jesus

A friend sent me some comments and asks my thoughts: Interested in your opinion. I am trying to craft a reasonable response to the “follow Jesus to be saved” concept.  I noticed something: the only times people are told to follow Christ is when He is present and able to be literally followed. The terminology abruptly stops