I feel like it’s relatively easy for us to view discipling as essentially just disinfecting. But is that association true or unmerited? Is there more to discipling than simply disinfecting someone? And if so, in what ways? I think there’s a huge difference between disciping and disinfecting. In fact, I think if we view discipling as disinfecting, then we’ll fail miserably at both. But I think if we get discipling right, I won’t be surprised if both happen along the way.
So how the two approaches different? The difference between disinfecting and discipling Christians is in many ways analogous to the difference between an oil change and a road trip. Changing the oil of the car is undoubtedly good and necessary for the vehicle’s functionality. However, if changing the oil is all that ever happens to this car, then it is as functional as a car with no oil at all. This is because cars were designed for locomotion. Certainly, while oil changes are necessary for a car’s locomotion, the end goal of a car is not oil changes, but locomotion.
In the same way, Christians are like cars in that they need ‘disinfection,’ but not as the ultimate priority. To be sure, ‘disinfecting’ the sin out of Christians hearts is undoubtedly good and necessary for a Christians spiritual vitality. However, if ‘disinfecting’ is all that ever happens to the Christian, then he is as functional as a non-Christian for God’s kingdom purposes after all. This is because Christians are designed for mission and discipleship. Certainly, while ‘disinfection’ is necessary in order to fuel effective Christian living, the end goal of the Christian is not ‘disinfection,’ but discipleship.
Besides, true ‘disinfection’ happens only in the context of discipleship anyways. Disinfection without discipleship is a disinfection that was never substantiated after all. This is because we do not become sanctified primarily by cleaning up the bad in our lives, but rather by engaging in the good of God’s mission. In other words, if you’re not moving forward, then you’re probably moving backwards, even if you think you’re not moving in either direction. Regression tends to give the illusion of mere stagnation; yet, its in the perspective of progression that we finally see ‘stagnation’ for what it really is–regression.
Here’s the paradox: if driving is the goal, then oil changes will happen at a whim. Though annoying at the time, oil changes will feel necessary, inconsequential, and matter-of-fact because they are part of what will allow you to do what you were designed to do: drive. Similarly, if engaging in God’s mission is the goal, then sanctification will happen more naturally and effectively in the process. On the other hand, if oil change is the main, sole preoccupation, it will simply seem like drudgery because it will seem like it is for no real purpose. However, if it is placed in the context of the thrill of driving, changing the oil will be done with a completely different attitude. But if no driving is happening, changing the oil will feel like a waste of time and a burdensome, boring, and picky chore. Likewise, the only way to not subject your sanctification to this same attitude is unless you are constantly being caught up in the thrilling momentum of God’s kingdom.
Like oil changes versus locomotion, disinfecting versus discipling is the striking contrast between potential energy and active energy.
Like cars, Christians were not designed to merely “be fixed” as much as “be fast.”
The “fast” part simply entails the process of constant fixing (as we all know is the case with any vehicle in constant use). So get driving, that’s what you were designed for. Oil changes will just have to happen along the way.
