"The Great Omission" by Dallas Willard

“If we can not afford to be generous, we possess little.”
D. Willard

Until we learn that little acts of generosity are all we are capable of making, we will be trapped in fearful theory. Our expectations and grandiose dreams will paralyze our good intentions. Just as a rich man’s journey begins through the eye of a needle, each believer must come to see God is his full glory before recognizing his own frail abilities. There is great humility in simple beginnings, as we each stay bowed to God in order to make spiritual gains. By making practical progress, we grow in our discipleship with Christ.
Disciple is the word used by Christ during his great commission. He seeks to make disciples of men. Christ seeks follower of his words and deeds. One who would brave to suffer the infamy of the cross to convey the message of God. George MacDonald says, “The Son of God suffered unto death, not that men might not suffer, but that their sufferings might be like his.” Disciples.
Willard uses the pages of this book to explain how Christianity apart from discipleship isn’t the way of Christ. He offers this paradox –the greatest deterrent to devotion to Christ is service for Christ. As Jesus himself was tempted by the devil with power over all the kingdoms of the earth, he replied with these words: “Worship the Lord your God and only the Lord your God. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.” (Luke 4:8)
Love knows no limits. It seeks to give more than it is capable of giving. It reaches outside itself, summoning powers greater than itself to accomplish tasks we never knew were possible. How do we get there? Discipline. Obedience. Prayer. Dallas leans heavily on the words of Joshua 1:8, who pointed the way with these words:
“Don’t for a minute let this Book of the Revelation out of your mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night. Making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going.”
Goodnight Pilgrims. May your way be straight and your words be true.