When I became a Christian first year in college, I was taught: there are three stages in a Christian’s life. He referred to Rom.8:30
Romans 8:30 says: 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Stage 1: Justification
Stage 2: Sanctification
Stage 3: Glorification

Since “I” accepted Christ, where am I? Stage 2. Stage 3 is not really my concern because to be glorified, I either have to die or Jesus must come for the second time.

While you are in Stage 2, what do we do in good Korean American churches? DISCIPLESHIP. Here, I think, many Korean American churches lose their own denominational (theological) distinctives. If preachers do know (I’m sure they do) about their theological traditions, they don’t preach them explicitly (oh, I’ve heard many Baptist preachers condemning Presbyterians for “pre-destinating people”: exact words, which I still remember from Ed Young was “Hellish Damnation of Presbyterians”). How many of you heard sermons about 5 point Calvinism? Whether you go to Baptist church or Presbyterian church, other than some physical differences [FYI, many Baptist pulpits are crystals (if they have one) not woods because they do not want to be seen as Authoritative. Crystal pulpits assume that preachers and lay people are on the same ground, not separated by "walls"; yes, there are theological reasons for everything that the church does], they really are not that different. You may say, rightly so from your experience, “All churches are (or should be) the same. Denominations are the result of human sin: fighting against other Christian brothers and sisters. Just read John 17!” In my experience, Preaching (pastors preaching to Stage 2 Christians; for Stage 1, they preach “evangelistic” sermons: come forward to receive Christ) was all about “APPLICATIONS” to my life to help me be a better Christian. To do that, all churches do the discipleship programs.

While I was in Stage 2, I was to be holy with the help of discipleship. But stage 2 already presupposes that you will NEVER BE HOLY in this life! So, it seemed to me: “I know I can’t be 100% holy while I am on earth, but I will try anyways. If it doesn’t work out, and Bible tells me it’s not going to, there is nothing I can do about it.” So from the get-go, stage 2 basket is leaking. And I tried hard. 3 hr early dawn prayer (6am-9am), reading through the Bible, Meeting 3 times a week (small groups), meet again for daily night prayers (9pm-10pm). When I look back, I’m thankful for that “discipline” that I’ve learned. But….

One day, my Bible study group leader came to the meeting and said, “I tried to live my life according to the Word of God, but I can’t. I feel like I’m a hypocrite standing in front of you and teaching the Bible. So I quit.” And he quit.

What is wrong with this picture? Wrong theology. As soon as we read the Bible, we become theologians whether you know it or not. This 3 Stage view of Christian life is not the gospel driven Christian life. If what I’ve described about my Christian life resonates with your own life, stay tuned; I will be clarifying some (yet deadly) misunderstandings of Discipleships and Sanctification.