Fully Devoted Followers(2): Where do we begin?

Before we get into trying to work how to live a fully devoted life as disciples, we must build on a proper foundation. If we build on a foundation of rules and regulations, or of programmes, we are headed in the wrong direction. We must recognise that the fundamental characteristic of a God-follower is a relationship with the God they follow.

A recurring OT refrain is: “If you will be my people, I will be your God.” The covenant of the OT is not the legal system encoded by God in the Ten Commandments and the Law, it is the relationship he establishes with the people as individuals and, importantly, as community.

The second important key to understanding and developing a fully devoted lifestyle is the concept of grace. Many Christians seem to think that grace is a peculiarity of the Gospel but it’s another cornerstone of God’s dealing with his people throughout history.

Of course Paul says it best when he says in Eph. 2 that we are saved by grace through faith. But grace runs through the OT story too. Adam and Eve, experienced the grace of God when he didn’t destroy them instantly after the fall; Abraham experienced grace as God kept his promise of a son even though Abraham had tried to solve it his own way; Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Hezekiah, Elijah, Samson, Daniel, even Rahab, all experienced grace.

Thirdly, there is the issue if faith. Hebrews tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God. But the writer goes on to point out that the basis for his argument is that you quite simply have to believe that God exists and rewards those who earnestly seek him.

This then raises the question: What does it me to earnestly seek God? But any answer about "how" we do this has be built on the foundation of a life transforming relationship with God not some box ticking personal achievement scorecard.