Christ's Disciple: How To Finish Strong: Christian Growth Series

While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How To Finish Strong  

First edition 7- April-2021, 1-Oct-23

Copyright © 2021 Robert Lloyd Russell  

Written by Robert Lloyd Russell

Cover Photo: Public Domain: Chichén Itzá (Mayan)

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture is taken from the New King James Version © 1982. Other Scripture portions as noted are from:

King James Version (kjv) © 1909, now public domain 

New American Standard Version (nasb) © 1960

New International Version (niv) © 1978

Good News Translation (gnt) © 1992

The Message (msg) © 1993

New American Standard—updated (nasu) © 1995

New Living Translation (nlt) 1996

New English Translation (net) © 1996

Notes: For consistency and clarity names and pronouns of God have been capitalized in all Bible quotations. All emphasis in Scripture has been added. 

We hope you enjoy this book. Robert Lloyd Russell’s goal is to provide high-quality, thought-provoking books that connect truth to real life needs and challenges. For more information on his other books based on Biblical interpretation and application, please visit his author’s website https://booksrlr.com/

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2 Peter 1:2-4

If you find value in this book, please consider writing an online review. This would be very much appreciated by the author.  

Introduction

Unfortunately, in today’s Christian communities many are so satisfied with their ultimate destination that they neglect the importance of the journey. By so doing they are missing out on many here and now benefits of their adoption into the family of God. 

I do not think it is an exaggeration to say that average Christianity today is so below par that if one truly lived the Christian life as God desires they would be considered abnormal.   

Many books about living a victorious Christian life focus on the basic spiritual disciplines such as regular reading the Word of God, regular prayer, on-going fellowship, and so forth. While these are all critically important factors, they are not what this book is about. While the traditional Christian disciplines are vital there is much material readily available on that subject.

The message of this book focuses on understanding the process of forming and maintaining good habits—including, but far from limited to, the spiritual disciplines. There is a critical sequence of steps required for on-going victorious Christian living. 

The title of this book, Christ’s Disciple was chosen with care. This is not a book about being a Christian because my parents are, or because I attend church most Sundays. A disciple is an intentional follower of their leader. It is an active purposeful focus of their lives. This book is for those who with the Apostle Paul can admit:

‘I know that all God’s commands are spiritual, but I’m not.  Isn’t this also your experience?’  Yes.  I’m full of myself — after all, I’ve spent a long time in sin’s prison. What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can’t be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God’s command is necessary.

But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions.  Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.

It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge (Romans 7:14b-23 msg).  

This book is for those who understand they are in process, but long for a faster spiritual growth. The concepts presented will not provide instant Christ likeness however the author and many others have found the principles in this book very helpful in both their understanding of the process and their personal spiritual progress. 

It is a book for those who can identify with what John Newton said:

I am not what I ought to be,

I am not what I want to be,

I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still

I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God

I am what I am.

I like the way Charles Spurgeon put it: ‘You are no saint,’ says the devil. Well if I’m not, I am a sinner, and Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. Sink or swim, I go to Him; other hope, I have none.

With that being said, the normal, not average, Christian is growing more like Jesus Christ as they continue their life on earth. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Prolog

You can’t change what has happened in your life so far.

It’s how you live the rest of your life that you can manage.  

What is your definition of success? I once heard a story about a kamikaze pilot. It seems that it was his 28th mission! Unfortunately, that is often the story of well-meaning Christians who desire to live a life pleasing to their Lord. Has that been true for you?

Some Christians have great desire to live a Godly life but keep falling into a feeling of helplessness. They just don’t see a way out of particular habitual sin patterns.

A common contemporary saying is, The definition of insanity is to keep on doing what you’ve been doing and expecting a different result. Yet often, because of habits that is how we live our Christian lives.

If you are frustrated with the progress in your Christian life this book is for you. The purpose of this book is to show a clear path for moving forward in our Christian maturity. As the author, I have two primary goals for my readers. 

First, a presentation of a clear and straightforward process that enables anyone to become more Christ-like regardless of the environment in which they are living. 

Second, do so in such a way as to be meaningful regardless of the level of Christian maturity a reader has already gained.

Success Is Not Final

Success has been defined in literally thousands of ways. In my career as a management consultant I collected definitions of success, most of which came from secular sources. One of my favorites: You are a success if at your funeral there are six pall-bearers none of which look at their watch.

Many have risen to extreme levels of success only to find it was temporary. This is true in the financial world, in our relationships with other people, and in all the areas of life that one might define as success. 

Success Can Be Final

Perhaps everyone would desire to be a success at the end of their life. 

Abraham Lincoln showed real insight when he said, I'd rather lose in a cause that will ultimately succeed, than succeed in one that will ultimately fail.

One of my favorite sayings is, Don’t sacrifice the permanent on the altar of the immediate.

Jesus said, For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26).

Final success is possible and will be rewarded when hearing, Well done, good and faithful servant... enter into the joy of your Lord (Matthew 25:23).

Failure Is Not Final

From an anonymous writer: Jacob was a cheater, Noah got drunk, Jonah ran from God, Gideon was insecure, Miriam was a gossip, Martha was a worrier, Thomas was a doubter, Sarah was impatient, Elijah was depressed, Moses stuttered, Zacchaeus was short, King David had an affair, Peter had a temper, Paul was a murderer, Abraham was old, and Lazarus was dead. Now, what’s your excuse?

God doesn’t