I have lived long enough to see several fads or cultural changes. When Connie and I were in college, she had a page-boy fluff hair do and occasionally included a small wig in her hair. Interestingly, this hairstyle was common in that day. In recent years, the page-boy fluff never returned, but the occasional added hair piece has shown up. When hair or dress styles change, for guys or gals, like dominos falling, everyone changes with it. Remember when it was the in thing for guys to wear bellbottom leisure suits or knit slacks? Today it is tattoos, skinny or holey jeans. Fads are like cookie cutters that leave their mark on nearly everyone.
So, does God use a cookie cutter that leaves its mark on His followers? I would have to say, ‘yes’ and ‘no’. He doesn’t leave visible markings like some religious groups might (e.g. Amish). And He intends for each of His followers to have unique differences in their personalities, capacities, visions, and skill sets. However, He does leave the same marking on the inner part of each of His apprentices. Paul wrote, for those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers (Romans 8:29, ESV). He also described how that would happen. And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ … (Ephesians 4:11-13, ESV). He has no other kind of a follower than the one shaped by a predetermined pattern, Jesus Christ.
The very last recorded command Jesus gave His apostles was wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Teach them to do everything I have commanded you. “And remember that I am always with you until the end of time (Matthew 28:19-20, GW). Jesus set the pattern for all disciples when He said, If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me (Matthew 16:24, NLT2). Paul also took that pattern seriously and wrote Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1, ESV).
It is noteworthy that the apostles took that pattern so seriously that unbelievers said those early Christians turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6). We must understand the Holy Spirit’s primary work is NOT to make us theologians or encyclopedias of Bible doctrine. Rather, to shape each of us into the very likeness of Jesus Christ, the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. He also decreed Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2, NLT2).
Why did Jesus, Paul, and the Bible teach this? So, the world would SEE and sense deep within that we have been with Jesus, living witnesses of a risen Jesus Christ.
We have naively reduced discipleship (spiritual transformation) down to indoctrination of some sort. We think it amounts to teaching a formula, behavior modification in a sermon, small group or classroom. If you look back on your recent history, is there evidence your presence has turned those in your sphere of influence upside down? If not, could it be that someone inadvertently usurped the Spirit’s work and indoctrinated you instead allowing His Spirit to transform you?