Discipleship
The original Greek meaning for discipleship comes from discipline and means; education, training and correction. Discipleship is sorely lacking in today’s church. In Paul’s day it was the way you did church…in today’s world many Christian’s usually hide under rocks. Those Christians who DO spread the word are in many cases not disciplining those they have converted. We ALL need accountability and to be taught.
Please understand that, yes, when you get “saved,” your spirit man awakens and you are convicted when you sin. However, a baby Christian needs guidance just like a child does. If they are not given proper instruction they may fall into error…or fall away all together.
For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come. – 1 Timothy 4:8
We NEED to not only disciple others, we need to BE discipled. The younger in Christ should seek and listen to counsel from those who are older in the Lord. This is how we can really grow and learn. We cannot…we must NOT remain milk eaters for our entire lives. We must learn and grow and begin to wean ourselves from childish ways.
For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning to be molded into the image of His Son and share inwardly His likeness, that He might become the firstborn among many brethren. – Romans 8:29
We ALL have a calling. God does not want us to remain in a baby state or in a state of no growing. He wants to continually mold us into His image and teach us His ways. We cannot do and be all that God created us to be without instruction from others and being in various relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ.
You must submit to and endure correction for discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons. For what son is there whom his father does not [thus] train and correct and discipline?
Now if you are exempt from correction and left without discipline in which all of God’s children share, then you are illegitimate offspring and not true sons at all. – Hebrews 12:7-8
It is right of passage to be corrected and taught. We need not fret or allow our feathers to get ruffled. We should receive the correction. Pray about it. Seek council about it from those who are more spiritually fit than we are. We must not simply toss it aside. The correction may very well be from God and needed in our lives to promote spiritual growth and healthy fruit development in our lives.
Let us not be found spiritually sleeping when our Savior returns. My dear sisters, that day is very soon. We Must awaken from our slumber and begin to be effective in our walk and TRUE followers of Christ.
Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me – cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also.
For whoever is bent on saving his temporal life [his comfort and security here] shall lose it [eternal life]; and whoever loses his life [his comfort and security here] for My sake shall find it [life everlasting]. – Matthew 16:24-25
Copyright © Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved
Let’s Pray;
Daddy God, I love You. I want to live for You and allow You to mold me into Your Image. I want to become ALL that You created me to be. I want to DO ALL that You created me to do in my lifetime. I do not want to be spiritually dead or sleeping. Wake me up! Teach me. Help me. Thank You for Your Word, Your love and for saving me. I love You, Daddy, In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen!
Your Homework:
Memorize: Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. – Matthew 16:24-25 (NLT)
Dig Deeper:
Study the following Scriptures to dig deeper into this study and what God’s Word has to say.
- Matthew 16: 24-25; 7:24-25
- 1 Timothy 4:8-9
- Romans 8:27-31
- Ephesians 4:11-17
- Hebrews 12:7-12
- Philippians 2:3-11
- James 1:2-4; 3:13-18
Have a blessed and victorious week!
Copyright © Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved
In Him,