A New Perspective

I Do Not Think It Means What You Think It Means

A few weeks ago, I was blogging about my frustration with goal-oriented discipleship. This week, I pick up where I left off for Holy Week.

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Photo by Austin Ban on Unsplash

“13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do... 14 I press on... 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way” (Philippians 3:13, 14, 15, ESV).

I’ve been writing about my frustration with goal-oriented discipleship. To summarize, Christians are often told that our goal is to become disciples of Jesus. This is usually taught using a personal development plan or self-improvement strategy, a process that looks something like this:

1. Define your goal

2. Design a process to achieve that goal

3. Establish benchmarks (smaller measurable goals) to track your progress

4. Create a plan of action to achieve the desired outcome

5. Celebrate your progress at each benchmark

This works great with things like financial or health goals.

1. Define your goal: Lose 15 pounds

2. Design a process to achieve that goal

   1. Eat healthier

   2. Exercise

3. Establish benchmarks: Lose one pound per week for 15 weeks

4. Create a plan of action

   1. Eliminate desserts & snacks

   2. Reduce calorie intake to 1700 calories per day

   3. Go to the gym Monday, Wednesday, and Friday each week

5. Celebrate your progress: Each week, post your weight loss achievement on social media

Regarding discipleship, plans like the one I just described are all the rage. They’re often called your “Personal Discipleship Plan,” touted as the way to become a spiritually mature disciple of Jesus. In theory, it sounds great. In reality, for most of us, it’s a flop. But if it works for losing weight or saving for a vacation, why does it fail for spiritual maturity?

There are many reasons, but I will highlight just one here. It’s the idea that our goal as Christians is to become disciples of Jesus. This perspective sees becoming a disciple as a goal or status of maturity to obtain through a self-improvement plan.

But that’s not how the Apostle Paul viewed spiritual maturity. Paul said explicitly he had not obtained the goal, yet he continued to “press on.” And, recognizing you have not arrived but continuing to press on anyway is the attitude of maturity. “Let those of us who are mature think this way” (Phil 3:16). So, here’s the payout:

A disciple is not someone who has arrived at the destination of spiritual maturity. A disciple is someone who is on the way with Jesus. Spiritual maturity is not an achievement but an attitude of humility and willingness to keep growing in Christ.

The word “disciple” means student, not master. A disciple is someone willing to grow with Jesus, not someone who has achieved the status of a “fully devoted follower of Jesus.” This is why even brand-new believers were called disciples in the New Testament. Our goal as Christians is not to become disciples of Jesus but to recognize that we already are disciples of Jesus and learn how to live in his footsteps. We are spiritually mature when our attitude is that of humble following, not when we finish a Personal Discipleship Plan or complete a series of Bible studies and classes offered by the church.

If the Apostle Paul hadn’t arrived, I haven’t either. But that’s okay. I’m on the way with Jesus. And when I’m with him, I’m right where he wants me to be.