Thoughts on Christian Discipleship in the Twenty-First Century

By Robin G. Jordan

If Christians are to gain a hearing with a wide segment of the US population, they must not become identified with a particular political brand. This includes a particular political figure, party, or ideology. Our Lord’s commission to his disciples and to us is to make disciples of all people groups and not just people like ourselves. The political polarization that holds the United States in its grip, a polarization that is affecting local churches, judicatories, and denominations, presents a serious obstacle to the advance of the gospel in this century.

Since the recent election I have observed a tendency of conservative Christians to withdraw from the public square into their own ghettoes—their own social media platforms, discussion forums, and the like, largely on political grounds. This is not a positive development. Conservative Christians need to engage with our changing society and not retreat from it if they are going to obey the One that they call Lord and fulfill the Great Commission. The planting of new churches is to reach the people of this country and the world with the gospel and not provide refuges for those who are unhappy with how our society is changing.

I have also observed a tendency to embrace the demonization of those who do not share our views, a tendency that characterizes the growing polarization of the United States and which has become worse in recent days. One of the results of this tendency is to view certain segments of the population as not worthy of hearing the gospel, a decision which is not ours to make. Like Jonah, we are sent to preach repentance, not just to those whom we love but also to those who for one reason or another may have earned our dislike or even our enmity.

One of the most alarming tendencies that I have observed is the tendency to disregard Jesus’ teaching and example for a particular political outlook. The failure of the local church to adequately disciple its members and other attendees has provided a fertile ground for this development. A recent Barna report notes that a large segment of population that identifies itself as Christian and evangelical holds beliefs and values that that conflict with what Jesus taught and modeled. This raises questions about whether this population segment are genuine disciples of Jesus. A disciple closely follows the teaching and example of the one that he regards as his teacher.

True followers of Jesus have only one loyalty. It is to Jesus and to his teaching and example. Jesus did not encourage his disciples to become involved in worldly politics. What he did teach was that they should first seek the Kingdom of God and its righteousness. When we become too involved in worldly politics, it is apt to take the place of Jesus in our hearts. It shapes our thoughts and actions and not Jesus’ teaching and example.

In his teaching Jesus placed an emphasis upon forgiveness and reconciliation. He taught that if we are unwilling to extend forgiveness to others, we should not expect God to extend forgiveness to us. We should not hang onto grudges or nurture ill-will in our hearts. We should make every effort to be reconciled with anyone with whom we have had a falling out.

Following Jesus his way and not our own may make us unpopular in some circles. However, Jesus did not promise his followers popularity. He warned that our faithfulness to him, his teaching, and his example might turn others against us.

Jesus emphasized the important of obedience to God’s will over position, business acumen, wealth, and the other things that the world holds in high regard. He taught that his words were God’s words—what he had heard from God, and therefore keeping his words was obeying God’s will. Those who obeyed God’s will were his close kin, the children of the Most High.

While Jesus at times withdrew to a deserted place in order to pray, he did not teach his disciples to withdraw from the world. Rather he taught that they should be light, salt, and leaven in the world. Through the winsomeness of their gentle words, their kindly deeds, and their generosity, they would exercise a positive influence on the world around them and inspire others to become his disciples. A witness that embodies Jesus’ teaching and example is something that we may need to relearn in our day if we are to gain a hearing for the gospel.