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“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19 NKJV)
True Christianity is much more than playing church. It is far beyond monotonous fasting and praying or reading the Bible daily. It is much deeper than gathering or fellowshipping with other believers seven days a week at a worship center.
True Christianity is evincing or expressing Christ’s Life, Nature, Power, and Glory. It is conforming to Christ in all things. A genuine Christian observes everything the Lord Jesus Christ has commanded and teaches others to do.
True Christianity is walking in the footsteps of Jesus. It is following Jesus daily and closely. It is shining as light in a perverse and crooked generation.
The Great Commission of the Church is to make disciples of all the nations, baptizing and teaching them to observe all things that the Lord Jesus Christ has commanded His disciples. Sadly, this is no longer today’s Church priority, purpose, and pursuit.
When the Lord Jesus was about to leave the world, He gave a charge or commission to His disciples.
Matthew 28:19-20 – NKJV
19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Unfortunately, the Great Commission of the Church has become “the Great Omission” of the Church. Sadly, we have cast away and undervalued that which is great in the Lord’s sight!
What do we value greatly and boast about today?
Our magnificent cathedrals and edifices!
Our special programs, conferences, or conventions!
Our church attendance and huge financial incomes!
Our vast knowledge of the original Bible languages (Greek and Hebrew)!
Our preaching and teaching skills or abilities, etc.!
How sad!
Luke 16:15 – NKJV
15 For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
From Christ’s perspective, we are only doing well if we make it our highest priority, purpose, and pursuit to make disciples for Christ.
How do we make disciples with a singular purpose of knowing Christ intimately, following Christ closely and becoming like Christ increasingly?
Through Discipleship!
Discipleship is not a new idea or concept in the Church, though it has become unpopular, unfashionable, and unappealing to many believers today.
It is certainly not without any significance that the word “disciples” appears in the New Testament 269 times and the word “believers” or “believer” only four times (Acts 5:14, 1 Tim. 4:12, 6:2, 2 Cor. 6:15).
That indicates that the Church’s purpose, calling, and mission is not to make “believers” of the people but to make them “disciples” of Christ. It also shows the difference between being a mere believer and a disciple of Christ.
To properly understand what true Christian Discipleship is, it is essential first to consider what true Christian Discipleship is not.
Therefore, in this piece, we shall examine some things that many believers and Church leaders today have erroneously considered to be Discipleship but are not true Christian Discipleship.
First, Discipleship is not the New Birth Experience:
The New Birth is an instant spiritual experience whereby the Holy Spirit recreates a new heart or spirit in a person who believes and confesses the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour.
However, Discipleship is not an instant spiritual experience but a lifelong spiritual journey or progressive transformation into Christlikeness in every aspect.
Discipleship is not a one-time but a lifetime commitment to Christ. It is a spiritual journey from a “self-centered life” to a “Christ-centered life.”
Experiencing the New Birth or becoming born-again is the first step in your spiritual journey of becoming increasingly like Christ in your mind, thoughts, will, speech, emotions, conduct, or character.
Sadly, many believers today are stuck in this first step because they are unwilling to yield their necks under the yoke of Christ—to deny themselves, pick up their cross daily, and follow the Master, the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 11:28-30).
The Lord Jesus said to the multitudes that came to Him, “Whoever wants to be my disciples must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23 NIV).
Second, Discipleship is not a Bible Course or Program:
Discipleship is not a program but a personal, intimate, and loving relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Discipleship is not attending and graduating from a Theological Seminary, Bible College, or Leadership Class.
Discipleship certainly involves studying or learning from God’s Word, but a mere acquisition of mental or intellectual knowledge about Jesus Christ.
Discipleship is not acquiring more biblical knowledge about Christ but growing in the revelation knowledge of Christ and becoming more like Christ in your character.
A disciple of Christ never stops learning at the feet of his Master, the Lord Jesus Christ. A disciple never graduates from following Christ daily.
Discipleship is a daily close walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. While a disciple of Christ leads people to Christ, he continues to grow in the revelation knowledge of Jesus Christ.
While a disciple brings people to Christ, he never quits waiting upon Christ daily to behold His glory and beauty and learn from Him (Psa. 27:4, Mark 4:33-34).
Learn more about what Discipleship is not in the second part of this piece.
Prayer:
Dear Holy Spirit, teach and help me make daily progress in my discipleship journey and encourage and help others embark on the same spiritual journey into Christlikeness, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Preserving the Faith of the Apostolic Generation.
Eniyekpemi Fidelis Oyinpreyebi.
AWH, Blogs.
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