The WELL

The original questions: what is a Christian? what does it mean to be saved? what does it mean to be blessed?  The only answer: a DISCIPLE is someone who is Christian, saved and blessed.  Or maybe it sounds more convincing to say if you are Christian, saved and blessed, you are necessarily a disciple of Christ.  Or maybe it offers more clarity to say if you have chosen to be Christian, you have chosen to be saved from yourself which is a blessing, which also allows you to be a disciple---one who follows after the ways of Christ.  Sorry that I haven't mentioned money or Heaven, but those are not factors in your salvation, your Christianity or your blessings.  But it's still GOOD NEWS.  It's real news.  It's eternal news that is not determined by the world or its headlines.  It is not upset by the latest downturn.  It is Good News. Simplify life: Follow Him!  To be Christian, saved and blessed is to follow Him.  He's leading the Way!

Thought about the whole disciple thing and went to the Gospel of Matthew.  Matthew was sitting at work, minding his own business, and Jesus comes by.  "Hey, you!   Follow me!"  Jesus summons Matthew without even saying 'please.'  Essentially, Jesus tells Matthew, a stranger, that he should walk away from life as he knows it to do something radically different.  No payment is promised.  No blessing is discussed. No explanation is given.  No conversation is had.  "Follow me."  (Matt 9:9)  That's all there is. Matthew is probably not known for being the most eloquent of the Gospels, but surely the writer could have managed a simple conversation.  Jesus had them all the time.  Why wouldn't the writer think that an explanation was warranted?  Could it be that Jesus simply meant "follow me"?  Do what I do.  Get like me.(wasn’t that a game awhile ago?). Give yourself up for me.  One preacher said leave all, l...

Come to the well if you are thirsty.  Come to the well to listen.  Come to the well to share.  Come to the well to rest.  If you are heavy-laden and desire rest, come.  Come to the well. Three questions are essential: what does it mean to be a Christian?  what does it mean to be saved?  what does it mean to be blessed?  Why are these essential?  Because they are at the root of Christian belief and conversation.  They are relevant to daily Christian life.  Everyone believes, has faith and worships.  But everyone is certainly not Christian.  Yes, everyone believes in something/one, has faith in something/one, and worships something/one.  What makes Christians so different?  What is the big deal about 'getting saved' and 'being blessed'? Some might look at these questions and think that the answers are obvious if you are a Christian.  Well, I have been a Christian most of my life, taken theology classes and ...