It seems to me that Christian discipleship happens when there is an existential encounter with Jesus (pathos) that is followed by an inner resolve to follow Him (praxis).

If there is practice without encounter, oftentimes it leads to dry orthodoxy or some weird form of legalism. If we don’t add resolve or intention (practices) to our encounters, we can end up with a romanticized or idealized view of faith, which falters under duress. While encountering Jesus creates an emotional (sometimes powerful) response, I have found that a degree of rigor or intentionality is critical for life change.

“Rigor without encounter is legalism and death. Encounter without rigor leads to an emotionalism or worse, duplicity.”