Just thoughts from my devotional reading. Ran across this quote in some of my reading:
"Generally, what I find is that the ordinary people who come to church are basically running their lives on their own, utilizing 'the arm of the flesh'—their natural abilities—to negotiate their way. They believe there is a God and they need to check in with him. But they don't have any sense that he is an active agent in their lives. As a result, they don't become disciples of Jesus. They consume his merits and the services of the church. … Discipleship is no essential part of Christianity today. We don't preach life in the kingdom of God through faith in Jesus as an existential reality that leads to discipleship and then character transformation."
Dallas Willard, Author The Divine Conspiracy
A lot to think about there. This certainly rings true with me. There is such a balance to be had between this and self-righteousness though. Plenty of churches that emphasize discipleship lack humility. Yet to say I am not perfect, just forgiven leaves VERY much to be desired. There is much room for growth between 'just forgiven' and 'perfect'. That is the purpose of the Word of God for the Christian correct? To be pointed toward Christ by the law, but also to be instructed in Christlikeness by the law, living under the law but not under the curse of the law. For when we live under grace, the law instructs us in the ways to grow in Christlikeness. Our fathers in the faith talk about it this way (See Formula of Concord SD VI). If the message of the gospel is forgiveness of sins alone why translate the whole Bible or even New Testament? But it is forgiveness of sins AND newness of life, eternal life, life to the full. Discipleship shows us how to grow into that. How does all that work when the rubber meets the road? Therein is the struggle, the struggle between old Adam and new man, the struggle between grace and works, the struggle between apathy and self-righteousness. May God grant us wisdom, strength, humility, and grace.