As I talk with some Christians about their discipleship journey there often comes a time when we get down to how far we still have to go towards being all that God has envisaged for us to become. It can be quite overwhelming – and when we are overwhelmed, we can lose heart and be tempted to quit altogether. I can say with complete honesty that I have been in that place. It can be discouraging. Daunting even. We want BIG change as soon as possible, because that is who we have learned to be in an “instant-everything” world. But that is not how God does things as we walk with Him in humble obedience.
God is incredibly patient and gracious with us as we come to grips with our discipleship commitment – we are sincere with it. He doesn’t expect us to become completely holy overnight. That is just not possible without it killing us in the process. For example, let’s just say that, where I am right now, that if all that was still sinful in me was surgically removed in one fell swoop – if that were possible - there wouldn’t be much of me left. Too much of my soul and flesh would be gone for me to survive the experience of such huge immediate change. And this is why God is so patient with us. He knows! But we can still feel a bit overwhelmed, and sometimes in all of that we can feel as though we are not making enough progress. But progress is gradual, friends. Sure, there can be major kairos moments when we experience a significant breakthrough and a particular besetting sin is defeated. Those are wonderful and joyous moments – sweet victories!
I have found, however, (and this may be just me, of course!) that these breakthroughs have mostly been as a result of many smaller incremental changes that have combined over time to reach the tipping point of breakthrough. Small, doable changes, build momentum for major changes. But most of the time my discipleship journey is made up of incremental daily changes. Sometimes when there has been no major noticeable breakthrough into a new place in my spiritual journey, I only have to look back a year or so and compare who I was then, to who I am now. Most of the time I can see significant change. It’s encouraging!
So, “incremental” is part of my discipleship vocabulary. Thinking and developing incrementally is sustainable and way more effective and encouraging over the longer term. Well, it is for me, but I suspect this would be the same for others, too.
Incremental - relating to, being, or occurring in especially small increments. The thing with the incremental approach to change (whatever the change is) is that forward momentum is created and it builds. Change may be gradual, but this is still change. Of course, there are some sin issues that do require a much more aggressive approach. For example, (some hyperbole here), if I had a nasty habit of punching people who disagreed with me, such behaviour is something I would immediately have to stop- nothing incremental about that! But, dealing with the driver of such behaviour would probably require a disciplined and sustained incremental strategy involving accountability, counselling, anger management strategies and so on, so that character is sanctified and changed.
The point is, discipleship is a journey of incremental sanctification that works. There is no such thing as turning over a new leaf in discipleship. That is about you trying to change yourself all at once, by yourself. Change requires more than not doing sinful stuff anymore – the soul needs sanctifying so that thinking is changed and the soul is transformed more and more into Christlikeness. Two encouraging scriptures help me with this idea of incremental discipleship.
Romans 12:1 (NIV)
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
Luke 9:23 (NIV)
Then Jesus said to them all: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me.”
Both these scriptures are in the present continuous tense – we keep at it, even when we think nothing is changing, or that change is not happening fast enough.
For disciples on the journey change is not an instant, total overhaul – that never works. Change is not achieved all at once. Change is built through small, deliberate, incremental steps. One attitude sanctified, one angry response left unsaid, one person forgiven, one soul wound healed, one hour of protected time to be in communion with the Lord – properly – one at a time. Each small step creates a ripple and, over time, these ripples combine to become waves that achieve significant change and even breakthrough. So, try not to chase some huge overhaul. Two reasons: you cannot change yourself, and God is the One who sanctifies us …
Leviticus 20:8 (NIV) “Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the LORD, who makes you holy.”
The law was given to ancient Israel as a means by which God could, over time, make them into a holy nation. The law was not given just so that laws could be kept. Laws were given so that people could learn how to consecrate themselves (position themselves) which then gave God the space to sanctify them. This is real change.
May I encourage you to keep at it, incrementally. Of course, if there is a major issue, get help and support for that. Be encouraged because incremental works and it achieves far more in a lasting way than tackling a list of 50 things that will overwhelm you. Ask Holy Spirit to set the agenda from the get-go … and He will show you the first thing that He wants to sanctify – because that’s what He thinks you’re ready to beat.
Psalms 139:23 (NIV)
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.”
As I said, the exceptions are any major issue that you clearly need to address – like punching people who disagree with you. You get my drift, I think. But most of the time think incremental. It works. Here’s why …
Galatians 6:8-9 (NIV)
“Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Keep going, sowing takes time, and trust that, incrementally, Holy Spirit is wonderfully at work sanctifying and transforming every area of our lives. The change will come and we will know it and delight in it …
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
Think big picture (holiness), act incrementally (process). A harvest of righteousness awaits.
May you be richly encouraged!
Ps Milton