Discipleship - A Genuine Expression of Love

Take care, brothers (sisters), lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. - Hebrews 3:12

-THIS SUNDAY'S TEXT-

Discipleship – The Expression of Genuine Love

What comes to mind when you think about discipleship? When I pause and think about discipleship, so many fantastic thoughts come to mind:

1. I think of the men and women in the gospels who followed Jesus Christ.
2. I think of the words of Jesus – If you abide in My Word, you are truly my disciples. And – By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. And – 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 behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
3. I think of the centrality of the Word of God. Eyes, minds, and hearts focused on the truths of God’s Word. Lives lived out according to God's Word. People committed to obeying the Word of God and encouraging others to do so.
4. I think of loving relationships. I think of my family members who have discipled me. I think of men and women Sunday School teachers I had growing up in Natchez, MS and Tallahassee, FL. I think of the ministers whom God put in authority over me. I think of a few faithful brothers in Christ whom God put in my path for the purpose of being disciple.
5. I think of the mission I have received from Jesus. Go, make disciples… Help those around you to know Jesus and follow Him.
6. Perseverance, maturity, patience, steadfastness, transparency, honesty, brokenness, forgiveness, restoration, humility, encouragement, exhortation, correction, faithfulness, gentleness, firmness, holiness, obedience, and love all come to mind when I ponder discipleship.

So many wonderful thoughts come to mind when I stop and think about discipleship. It seems that discipleship is wrapped up in the words of Jesus found in Matthew 22:37-39 – You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…and the second like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself. To make disciples of Jesus Christ is one of the clearest and most genuine expression of our love for Jesus and our love for others.

-CONSIDER & MEDITATE-

What comes to mind when you think about discipleship?

-PRAYER & THANKSGIVING-

As you thought about discipleship, it may be possible that people came to mind, people who discipled you and helped you grow and mature in your faith in Christ. Take some time to thank the Lord for them and His using them to encourage you along in your faith. You may also consider sending letter to some of these folks thanking them for the way God used them to help you grow in your faith in Jesus.