The Five Holy Habits

The primary function of the Christian church is to make disciples, to administer God's grace through the sacraments and to teach and preach God's Word. A disciple is basically a learner, according to its Greek meaning, and Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) When we practice the Five Holy Habits we are able to walk and learn from Jesus, not too differently than the original disciples.

The "easy and light" that Jesus was talking about does not mean that there will be no problems in life. What it means is that if you listen to Jesus, and live accordingly, you will have the wisdom and strength to know how to face the challenges that life will bring. Sometimes Christians may face difficulties in life simply because they are Christians. This might include ridicule, marginalization, persecution, or even loss of life. The devil, the world, and our own sinful desires are enemies that wage war against the souls of Christians. The elderly Apostle John wrote to Christians, "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood." (1John 4:4-6) Paul wrote to Timothy, "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (1Timothy 6:12)

And Jesus also said, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:13-14) Luke wrote about various people who wanted to follow Christ without truly having Him as Lord of their life. He wrote. "As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, 'I will follow you wherever you go.'

Jesus replied, 'Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.'

He said to another man, 'Follow me.'

But he replied, 'Lord, first let me go and bury my father.'

Jesus said to him, 'Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.' Still another said, 'I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.' Jesus replied, 'No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.' " (Luke 9:57-62)

What it takes to truly follow Jesus is not a lot of self-determination, but faith in Jesus Christ, faith that He died and rose that you could live with Him forever, faith that all His words are true, and faith that He will always keep His promises. As the author of Hebrews wrote, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)

When Jesus calls us to follow Him through His Word, He calls us to a great responsibility. Nothing in life gives more satisfaction than to work hard at a task that is truly worthwhile. Nothing is more worthwhile than bringing the love of Jesus to people through words and actions. With faith in Jesus we can gladly accept the responsibility. As He tells us, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." (Luke 12:25)