John 8:30-32Kin g James Version (KJV) As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Back in my younger days when I was in a physical shape different from the shape I am now in. I trained in the Shorin-Ryu style of karate at the Kokomo School of Self-defense. I started my training along with my three sons under Eddie Bethea an 8th Degree Black Belt. Mr. Bethea has training thousands of students in the martial arts. He is a man of high integrity and principles. Myself and our three sons are grateful to have had the privilege of getting to know him and his willingness to share his knowledge with us.
We started in a self-defense class that lasted for six weeks. We then enrolled in the karate class and our journey of learning started with the various forms or katas, kicks, blocks, punches and balance. What I learned was learning did not start to take place until you had done something at least twenty time. We practiced kicks, blocks and punches by the hundreds it was the basics that helped with the advanced techniques. In each class it seemed we were pushed to our physical limits only find that we still had a little more to give. Every week brought about a change in body and mind. The things I thought I could never do after a while became routine. Becoming aware of your surroundings was important to your “survival” in Kumite or sparring. One on one was not as difficult but when there were three against one you had to be not only aware of those who you were confronting but your surroundings as well. Students honed their skills by working together with those in the school. Respect was earned by the accomplishments of the individual student not by how long they had been a member of the class. Yet, it was not about the number of accomplishments one had but about the willingness to learn more. It was not about studying what was taught but applying what one had learned through the experience of practice.
Not only did we learn physical skills we were required to learn terms. The first was Karate. The word Karate is derived from the words: Kara meaning “empty” and Te meaning “hand”. The essence of the training was, “I come to you with only Empty Hands. I have no weapons, but should I be forced to defend myself, my principles, or my honor, should it be a matter of life or death, of right or wrong, then here are my weapons, my Empty Hands.”
We learned the history of our style of karate. It had something to do with the response to the Japanese conquest of Okinawa. The Japanese conquerors are said to have prohibited the people of Okinawa from owning weapons apparently as a means of insuring their control of the island. The Okinawans developed karate, literally "empty hand", as a means of protecting themselves from brigands, criminals and their Japanese conquerors. Karate was taught in secret only to trustworthy individuals.
I have always enjoyed a good karate movie. Even though most have the same plot, I am amazed at their physical skills. The storyline often runs like this, a non-karate individual find himself in trouble and must learn karate to protect himself, his family, friends or community from the “evil doers”. He finds a sensei who teaches him the skills he needs to defeat his adversary. The master then teaches him the skills needed to defend himself. The training was always hard and there was very little mercy shown the student. But in the end he became a great fighter and saved his family, friends, or community. These movies were often based in a historical setting when the average person was not permitted to own weapons. They had to rely upon their abilities to fight with their hands or some farm implement that was handy. The whole purpose of the karate training was to defend against those who had weapons and power .In order to test my skills outside the classroom I entered the world of competition. My first year of competition I did not win one contest, needless to say it was discouraging. I applied the principles I learned in the class but it didn’t work in the completion ring. That was when I learned the importance of being aware of my surroundings. It was not just the adversary I faced in the ring but the boundaries of the ring and the position of the judges.
The second year I started winning. The last tournament of the year I injured my foot and was unable to train. We moved to Indianapolis and stopped training. When we moved to Thorntown I enrolled the wife and our youngest son in classes in Lebanon and started training again. I had not competed in a tournament for three years and thought I could just jump in and still be successful. I entered a contest in Greenfield and was ready to take up where I left off. It didn’t work that way. I was beaten by a younger faster man and my only consolation was he won first place in the tournament. At the end of the tournament he came up to me a said, “For an old man you sure hit hard.” I’m sure he was only being kind but what hurt was being called an old man I was only 43. It was then I realized practice and hard training were needed to compete in a world of young fighters. Knowledge, skill, experience, and past training could not make up for everyday practice—I had lost the agility needed to be successful against a younger and faster competitor. The sad part of my training is that it really did not serve any real purpose outside the dojo or the completion ring. The karate we studied has never been used for the purpose for which it was created. Here we were Quakers learning how to fight fights which will never happen. We were learning how to disable adversaries we would never encounter. Karate no longer serves its intended purpose. However, it does teach discipline, respect and character. But those were not the real reasons for the existence of a “martial” art. It no longer serves its original purpose.
How does this apply to the Christian life? Both Karate and Christianity are similar in their purpose—to fight against evil. Karate has lost its true historical purpose; Christianity seems to have lost its historical purpose as well. Over the years Christianity has lost the mission of making disciples. Why? Some would say it is because the times have changed. In regards to the study of karate we are more civilized and there's very little need for anyone, at least living in America, to be able to kill someone with your bare hands. In regards to the Church there is little need for the average Christian to go out and seek disciples after all that is the minister’s job.
You can imagine the dilemma that poses for the students of Karate. They love it. They honor the senseis who taught them. They want to see it continued. For the church member they feel it is the ministers’ responsibility to make disciples yet, they love the thought of being religious and they would hate to see their church close down. So how do you motivate Christians to dedicate years and years of training to learn an art making of disciple when they will never use the skill? Do you think it is time to get back to the purpose of what Christianity is all about---making disciples.
First, we are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ, he is our Teacher. We learn the basics prayer, fasting and learning the scriptures. We practice in church; we learn the terms and can speak the language. We debate the various doctrines and read devotionals, watch religious movies, go to seminars, listen to “successful religious leaders” and study history and still we are losing in the tournament of life. We are not aware of our surroundings, our adversary seems to be better trained, the judges are unaware when we score a point, and the ring is not to our liking. We need to train as Black belt Christians with purpose to use our skills.
In order to become a black belt we need a teacher (Jesus Christ), we need a style,(Righteousness and Holiness) we need to know the forms, (the doctrines of Gods Word) we need to practice daily (take up the Cross and follow Him daily). We must follow the Teacher and become a disciple not a student. Jesus said, if ye continue in my word. The “secret” is to continue in the words of Jesus. If we follow his training routine we will become successful in combating the adversary. Being a disciple is to know the truth and freedom found in the truth.
Disciples are learners who apply their knowledge to daily living.
The Greek word for 'disciple' is 'mathetes,' which means 'learner.' In biblical times a disciple would attach himself to a teacher and learn from him. He would follow him throughout the day, interact with him, work with him and often would go home with him at night. As a result of this close, personal real-life training, a disciple often took on the characteristics of the one who trained him. In fact, this is exactly what Jesus said, if you love me you will keep my commandments.
Disciples become like their Teacher
1. When fully trained, disciples are like their Master (Luke 6:40).
2. Disciples of Jesus increasingly reflect His character, conduct and commitments (Ephesians 4:13).
Christian Discipleship Never Ends
The word, "Learner," does not have a sense of “having arrived”. A disciple is one who is always learning. He’s not "Learned", but a "learner." Discipleship is a life-long process (Philippians 3:12-14). We will never fully reflect Jesus Christ in our lifetime. But disciples keep moving in that direction, learning from Jesus throughout their lives.
The English word "disciple" refers more to a hierarchical position, I am a disciple of…., or he’s a disciple of . . ., whereas the Greek word "disciple” refers more to the activity of a learner. The characteristics of a disciple are: desires to learn; is a learner of Jesus Christ; has a need to apply knowledge to everyday living; and has a willingness to imitate the Teacher.
I Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ
Disciples are those with a love for God, their neighbor and Christian Brother and show this love in deeds. They put Jesus first in everything and count the cost before they jump in. They are willing to wait on pleasure and comfort, to suffer now for the reward waiting them. They serve those whom they lead. They seek other’s good before their own. They work out of gratitude and love and are zealous to do good deeds. A disciple of Jesus seeks to impart what he has learned to others, to fulfill the ministry Christ has given to them. Disciples are ready to receive whatever Jesus has to offer — His forgiveness, love, direction and commandments — and to pay the price to get it. The common characteristics revolve around the attitudes and behaviors of a learner.
All too often those who call themselves by the name of Christ are not disciples. They may be students who wish to gain the knowledge and status of a follower of Jesus Christ but are not willing to take up the cross and follow him-- they are not disciples.
It is true that the techniques of karate are effective at self-defense and a person could seriously injure someone or even kill someone if they were skilled at karate. But over the course of history the farm tools are no longer needed to defend “myself, my principles, or my honor, should it be a matter of life or death, of right or wrong”, the original purpose of karate has changed. We are not Okinawans trying to defend themselves against criminals and Japanese rulers. However, the mission of the church has not changed and the lesson learned from Jesus Christ and following his teaching still has the power to change lives and saves souls. The making of disciples is just as important today as when Jesus said, Go ye into the all world and preach the gospel—making disciple. Let us not take a skill that has been passed down by the Master Teacher (making disciples) and make it of little use. He has given us the weapons to defeat the adversary and put fear into the hearts of the wicked. Let us study to show ourselves approved rightly dividing the word of truth and find freedom in the truth of Jesus Christ.
We are in a spiritual warfare. Just as the marital artist has learned the skills to “defend myself, my principles, or my honor, should it be a matter of life or death, of right or wrong, then here are my weapons, my Empty Hands” we as Christians must use the skills the Master has given us. Paul tells us we are to, Put on the whole amour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole amour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
