We all know Matthew 28:19-20 which says: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you; .." This is a very well known verse among believers.
Here's something I didn't really think about or realize: in order to make disciples, you yourself must BE a disciple!! So many in the church in these days are full of "godliness", knowing what to say, when to say it, and where to be. But they aren't really disciples of Christ! Think of it this way....how can I teach you how to swim, if I don't know how to swim? That's illogical! I can't teach you to swim unless I know how to, and it's the same with discipleship. We can't teach others and make disciples if we ourselves aren't first disciples of Christ.
But be warned: it isn't easy to be a disciple of Christ. Rainbows and butterflies aren't present 24/7, we don't live in expensive mansions with a crew of servants, you aren't going to be loved or even liked by everyone. Salvation is free, but Discipleship will cost you everything.
It isn't the most appealing thing to people, but it's the most wonderful thing you could EVER experience. Following Christ will take you places you never thought you could go, will enable you to be bold, will help you do things you never thought possible. But more than all of that, you get to be intimate with JESUS! You get to spend time with Him! Sweet, precious time with the One who created you then died for you then rose again for you.
Okay, and yet we don't want to sacrifice anything for His sake? Sounds selfish to me. If someone jumped in front of a car for me, sacrificed themselves, but the doctors were able to revive them..yeah you're right, I'd probably ignore that person too. I'd probably pretend it didn't happen, and I definitely wouldn't owe them anything.
Right? WRONG! Any person in their right mind wouldn't do those things I mentioned; we'd talk to that person right? Thank them for what they did, see how we can repay them, right? You see, with Jesus, we owe Him everything. But He washes it away, and only asks that we do one thing: follow Him.
Take up your cross, and follow Him daily (Mark 8:34). Become a Christ learner, a Christ follower, THEN obey the Matthew 28 command: go into the world and make more.
Do you Dare to be a Disciple?
God bless, and blog soon
