Thoughts on Discipleship by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

WRITE A BOOK!

“Brother Dillard, will you please put all this stuff you are writing about in a book?” The question has been repeatedly asked over the years. The answer is “Probably not!” It seems there is something innate in a lot of us to write what we have learned in a book for posterity. At the same time, there are many of us who want a book of someone’s writings to take up space on a bookshelf until we die, and someone else has the pleasure of tossing it.

The wisest offspring of Adam, Solomon, said, “. . . of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.” Ecc. 12:12. To be sure, bookstores and libraries suffer no shortage of books on practically every conceivable topic, from most every conceivable viewpoint. Still, it is the thrill of some to discover a book that coincides with their thinking or challenges them into novel arenas. Let me illustrate.

I was flying in a small plane with two fellow ministers listening to their conversation. One was excitedly proclaiming the joyful benefits he had gotten from some off-the-wall author. The other expressed his deep desire to obtain the book under discussion. Seeing an opportunity, I declared the discovery of a book that was so rich and deep that it never ceased to thrill and amaze me each time I reviewed it. Both of them turned in excitement toward me, and asking “What is this book you are talking about, we want it, too.” I replied that it was the book of Romans by the apostle Paul! Their faces fell in disappointment. I thought for a moment they might throw me out of the airplane. But such is the nature of the flesh; always ready to hear someone who may not be dry behind the ears, but has a gift of linguistic expression instead of understanding of the eternal Word.

Some say the Bible is just too hard to understand. Well, poor ole God! He is smart enough to create the universe and all therein, but not smart enough to write a book that His created subjects can understand. Hummm!

Therein lies the problem. If we cannot understand the communication of our Creator, then something has interfered with our mechanism. That something is sin! Repented from, one may be blessed with understanding and never ending blessings that flow as a river of life from that blessed book!

Truth is there are no shortcuts to spiritual growth, understanding and blessings. It is all in the book of books so well preserved and made available to us. If God wrote a book, and hardly no one reads it, but is content to let it collect dust on a bookshelf, then what are the prospects for usability of any book this poor writer should put together? So, aside from three theses in seminary, and three small booklets, and maybe a thousand short articles, no books are planned, but God’s book remains the number one recommended reading for eternal benefit!

FOR THOUGHT: Why do you suppose some people get excited more easily over what someone unknown may write than over what the Creator of the universe has written? Do you think there is a reason that many Bible truths are hidden from unspiritual minds? Since a relationship with God is strictly personal, do you think each person will be answerable to him alone, or will Dr. Whizbang stand up for him in judgment?

WWJD OR WDJD???

What a difference the change of one little alphabetic letter can make when one knows the message those letters carry. The change of one of them can signal a complete reversal of viewpoint that depicts radically altered behavior. Think about this for a moment with me.

WWJD is a set of letters that stands for the phrase: “What Would Jesus Do?” It has become popular among nominal Christians who prefer to act on their own thoughts about Jesus, and what his actions and decisions would be in a given situation. Does this sound good? Well, it deserves detailed thought. For example: Communion is a church ordinance. Those outside the church want to take it with your church or you are visiting another church, and you want to participate in the ordinance with them. Is it correct to do so? Well, WWJD. What would Jesus do? He is kind and not in the denial mode, so “yes” it must be O.K. Another example is someone wants to join your church, but states they cannot be baptized. Might the church receive that person as a member without baptism? Well, WWJD. Surely He would not turn anyone away, so, “yes,” that will be O.K. Examples could continue. Such examples are decisions made without consulting the Bible in detail. It puts man in God’s chair. Men are not big enough to sit in His chair! Accordingly, there is a much better phrase to call to mind.

WDJD: What Did Jesus Do? I Peter 2:21 tell us, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” There is a Bible term for proceeding in spiritual affairs without obedience to the actual teachings of the Word. The term is “iniquity,” and those practicing it will certainly meet it again in judgment. Sadly enough, there appears to be a strong mindset among nominal Christians to just do what people want if it is not totally, morally corrupt. God is replaced with humanism. The Holy Word is negated by the superior thoughts of religious, but sinful men. Placating the whims of men has become more important than obedience to the King of kings. The attitude prevails that anything negative must be replaced with positive things. Clear teaching of the Word reveals that a truly rude awakening awaits the practitioners of WWJD. Amid the tears and gnashing of teeth they will realize the eternal loss of their error of substituting their thinking for the clear teaching of Holy Writ. Ask me not WWJD, rather ask WDJD!

FOR THOUGHT: How often do you witness human reasoning substituting Bible teachings in order to facilitate modern desires of nominal Christians?

Is the Bible truly archaic or may it be relied upon as a modern day rule of faith and practice? Will Jesus bend His eternal Word to accommodate judgment of otherwise well-meaning folks?