BE THE CHURCH

It has become something of a watchword for us, this calling to BE the Church. It gives us purpose. We’re learning to be the Church by practicing the way of Jesus in and for the city until it is in Hamilton as it is in heaven.

THREE DISCIPLESHIP VALUES

Orthodoxy (right knowing) refers to right belief. Orthodoxy is one of three happens when we have an accurate and balanced grasp of the truth. As followers of Jesus, we’re striving to believe all that Jesus believed and taught, to know and apply His promises, and to reject the lies and false teaching that He Himself rejected.

Orthopathy (right being) refers to right desires, loves and even attitudes. It’s the emotional and volitional part of discipleship. Orthopathy is the ability to feel as we ought to: to love what’s lovable and hate what’s detestable. To marvel at what’s glorious, and fear what’s horrible. A disciple of Jesus loves what Jesus loves and hates what He hated. That’s orthopathy.

Orthopraxy (right doing) refers to right living, behaviour, and priorities. Orthopraxy is about doing the things Jesus did committed to, and abstaining from the things Jesus wanted nothing to do with. This is an important mark of maturity: A growing theologian (orthodoxy) who’s also very loving (orthopathy) but whose lifestyle in private isn’t christlike won’t be as mature as someone who’s growing in all three. A Christ follower does what Jesus did, and avoids what Jesus avoided. that’s orthopraxy.

LIKE JESUS

Jesus described the outcome of discipleship is when He told a crowd: “The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.” (Luke 6:40). All of us are “the student”. When they’re “fully trained”, they’ll be “like their teacher”. How do we know if this is working? We’re becoming more like Jesus. Individually, and together.