DISCIPLESHIP WITH A PURPOSE
"[My purpose is] that you may know the full truth, and understand with certainty and security against error the accounts (histories) and doctrines of the faith of which you have been informed and in which you have been orally instructed" (Luke 1:4 AMP).
Making disciples, as Jesus Christ commissioned us to do, begins with exposing the Gospel to your neighbor (whoever you would show kindness to). The Gospel is "exposed" not only through what we say but how we live our lives. If that "neighbor" chooses to put his (or her) trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and to be reconciled to God, you have just begun making a disciple. Salvation is the introduction into a life with God. Then follows the transformation of heart and mind through learning how to be a child of God, like Jesus Christ. The new disciple needs the Word of God in written form, the Spirit of God to teach him(John 14:26) and a friend(s) of God to demonstrate this new way of life and to encourage him as he learns.
There are so many erroneous doctrines flying around under the guise of "Christian" nowadays that a new disciple must learn quickly how to discern sound doctrine from the false. Many of these doctrines have a sprinkling of truth to them and so, the quicker the mentor can train the young disciple in the Truth and how to search the Scriptures to reprove what accounts and teachings he may be introduced to, the better. [Not everyone who calls himself a "teacher" or "preacher" of God's Word is God ordained. There are many wolves in sheep's clothing who prey upon the young and immature believer. (See Matt 7:15; 24:11; 1 Timothy 1:3-7; 4:7-11; 2 Timothy 2:16-18; and, 2 Peter 2:1-3).] There is no substitute for regular diligent study of the Scriptures, memorization of God's Word and practical application of the Lord's precepts and ordinances! There is no greater lesson on devotion than to help the new disciple learn to develop a constant dialogue with his heavenly Father--the real, living God. It is imperative that early on in the disciple's new life, he learns to live in relationship with God, guarding this relationship from the temptation to delegate it to mundane religious traditions and vain rituals.
It is,also, of supreme importance that if you are making disciples, you are diligent in your own learning and practice of the sound doctrines of our faith. You must also learn to endure, with godly conduct, all sorts of trials, being exemplary in staying focused on Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith. You will have ample opportunity to demonstrate how to trust God to safely keep all that a person entrusts to Him until he goes to be with the Father in heaven. Fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience before God and man! Think about it.
"[My purpose is] that you may know the full truth, and understand with certainty and security against error the accounts (histories) and doctrines of the faith of which you have been informed and in which you have been orally instructed" (Luke 1:4 AMP).
Making disciples, as Jesus Christ commissioned us to do, begins with exposing the Gospel to your neighbor (whoever you would show kindness to). The Gospel is "exposed" not only through what we say but how we live our lives. If that "neighbor" chooses to put his (or her) trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and to be reconciled to God, you have just begun making a disciple. Salvation is the introduction into a life with God. Then follows the transformation of heart and mind through learning how to be a child of God, like Jesus Christ. The new disciple needs the Word of God in written form, the Spirit of God to teach him(John 14:26) and a friend(s) of God to demonstrate this new way of life and to encourage him as he learns.
There are so many erroneous doctrines flying around under the guise of "Christian" nowadays that a new disciple must learn quickly how to discern sound doctrine from the false. Many of these doctrines have a sprinkling of truth to them and so, the quicker the mentor can train the young disciple in the Truth and how to search the Scriptures to reprove what accounts and teachings he may be introduced to, the better. [Not everyone who calls himself a "teacher" or "preacher" of God's Word is God ordained. There are many wolves in sheep's clothing who prey upon the young and immature believer. (See Matt 7:15; 24:11; 1 Timothy 1:3-7; 4:7-11; 2 Timothy 2:16-18; and, 2 Peter 2:1-3).] There is no substitute for regular diligent study of the Scriptures, memorization of God's Word and practical application of the Lord's precepts and ordinances! There is no greater lesson on devotion than to help the new disciple learn to develop a constant dialogue with his heavenly Father--the real, living God. It is imperative that early on in the disciple's new life, he learns to live in relationship with God, guarding this relationship from the temptation to delegate it to mundane religious traditions and vain rituals.
It is,also, of supreme importance that if you are making disciples, you are diligent in your own learning and practice of the sound doctrines of our faith. You must also learn to endure, with godly conduct, all sorts of trials, being exemplary in staying focused on Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith. You will have ample opportunity to demonstrate how to trust God to safely keep all that a person entrusts to Him until he goes to be with the Father in heaven. Fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience before God and man! Think about it.
© S.M. Hudson, Hidden Treasure Ministries, December 2003. All rights reserved.
Categories: forgiveness
