Back when I was in my early teens, Dothan, AL built Wiregrass Commons Mall, and it immediately became a hotspot for shopping and more importantly for me, a place where teenagers flocked to hang out. In some of the display windows of the stores, you could often find a group of people staring at an autostereogram (Yes. I had to google it.). An autostereogram is one of those weird pieces of printed art that had thousands of odd shapes and if you looked at it long enough, crossed your eyes in just the right way, a 3D picture would emerge from the off pattern of shapes. I know this sounds weird, but it was the 80’s!
Just stop it already! Spoiler alert. It’s a shark!
When we speak about a three-dimensional shape it is said to “have length, breadth, and depth. What first appeared flat in the picture above, If you’re successful, now becomes an image that jumps off the screen and separates itself from the dullness and chaos found in the of the rest of the print. If a person describes a literary work as three-dimensional, they might say that it was a “full characterization” or that it was “believable.”
What does it look like to be a three-dimensional disciple? To have depth as a disciple? To be believable and authentic in our faith? To be three-dimensional, God’s Word needs to impact three crucial areas of our life.
HEAD
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. – Colossians 3:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12.2
Before I give you my two cents on the subject, let me recommend the best book I’ve ever read when it comes to the mind’s role in our discipleship journey. I highly suggest you give it a read. It is Think: The Life of the Mind and the Love of God by John Piper. (You can get a pdf copy by clicking on the title.)
In our current culture, there seems to be a division and battle between one’s head and one’s heart when we consider desirable qualities of the disciple. Some might argue that we don’t need to think about the things of God (head) as much as we need an experience with Him (heart). On the other hand, others would emphasize the need to fill our heads with systematic theologies and downplay a teary-eyed pondering of the lovingkindness of God as one reads their Bible. I may overstate my case. Maybe.
As believers, we must understand that our mind is a major component of our sanctification. Paul’s plea in Romans 12.2 reminds us that the mind is not a passive bystander in personal discipleship, but it is the arena where the fight between the old and the new man takes place. As we better grasp the truths of scripture, these truths change our worldview, thoughts, and decisions. Thus the mind plays more than a mere intellectual role in our growth as believers, the mind is where we a transformed, through the power of the Holy Spirit to live according to God’s truth and more deeply love our Creator and Redeemer.
HEART
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. – Proverbs 4:23
Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. – 1 Samuel 12:24
It’s been a long time since I’ve had to study math, praise the Lord. Math was an intellectual exercise, but it really never became an emotive exercise. As soon as the bare minimum was completed, I was done. I never sought out a good math book in the summer time so that I could refresh my love of linear equations. If the pursuit of Christ does not resonate within our hearts, we too become very comfortable providing God the bare minimum and consider ourselves to be sacrificial in doing so. Without our hearts, discipleship becomes a matter of duty, not devotion.
In Jesus’ day, the Pharisees seemed really good at completing their spiritual homework, but their discipleship was largely void of genuine love for God and people. While answering a question about why the disciples weren’t ceremonially washing their hands before a meal, Jesus responded, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you” (Luke 11.39-41). The problem Jesus is addressing is an absence of the heart in their pursuit of God. If our heart is not engaged in discipleship we face the same dangers as the Pharisees, legalism and self-righteousness.
Dann Spader said, “Our heart motivates our hands.” I couldn’t agree more. The heart is our primary motivator in pursuing a growing, productive relationship with Christ. The heart moves us to action. When our flesh tells us spiritual disciplines are a waste of time, the heart rebuffs that thought. When selfishness tends to have a louder voice than our desire to serve, the heart compels us to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
HANDS
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. – James 1.2
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 5.1
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. – John 14.15
When I was a child, our home had a pear tree in the yard that I used to visit when the pears were ripe. Several years ago I planted two pear trees behind my house, anxious to relive my childhood. I loved those pears! Although my trees have been planted for several years, I have yet to see a single pear. Talk about disappointment! I’m not even sure if they’re pear trees now. There’s no fruit. To call ourselves disciples while our lives are void of external evidence is to be a fruitless pear tree.
The actions of the believer are the one of the key identifiers of genuine, redeeming faith. Jesus put it this way. “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:43-45).