Remember discipleship — that’s the great commission!
Remember discipleship, how I wish I could add that to your lives. We are not called to evangelize the world, but to make disciples. No wonder people are so confused! People do not even know what witnessing means. but let’s look at what Jesus said:
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” MATTHEW 28:18-20 RSV
Nowhere did He say, “Win the world for Jesus!” The world has been defeated. It cannot be won. The Creep rules over it and the whole world system is destined for the Pit.
Remember discipleship!
IF you’ve ever experienced it. In this day and age, in America, this is not likely. Well, for the readership of this blog, I hope it’s true. For the church in general, in the USA or Canada, making disciples is rarely part of the programs of a church.
How shallow is it that we have a revival, an altar call, door-to-door evangelism, and all of that?
Certainly some people are called to do those things. But none of them are Biblical! Like Sunday School, they are attempts by the church to show results without much concern for transformed lives. They are almost entirely bureaucratic, organizational efforts.
So, what is discipling?
Vine’s definition includes this, which gets closer to the heart of the matter: A “disciple” was not only a pupil, but an adherent; hence they are spoken of as imitators of their teacher. The Twelve show us discipleship. They left everything and followed Jesus, day in, day out for three years—learning by watching, asking questions, coming to know the man as Messiah. Plus, they lived with Him.
You cannot disciple anyone without a deep ongoing relationship. He disciples us with our relationship, if we let Him. Because, we are the Lord’s fiancée, His betrothed, His future Bride. Start to share at that level with the people the Lord gives you to disciple. No disciples? Ask Jesus for one, to start with. Because, you will need to learn how.
Do it now!