Believers or Disciples?
Matthew 28:19 (NKJV)
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.
"Go into the world and make disciples" – I was challenged again by this verse this weekend at our Empower Conference. One of the speakers preached on this verse and inspired us concerning the great challenge found within it, how like so many other truths in the Bible, the power can sometimes be 'lost in our translation'.
He then threw out a big challenge that I want to throw out to you now: "are we busy getting people to be disciples or just believers?" Are we inspiring people to just believe in Jesus and that's it, or to be disciples (followers of Him in their daily lives)? The truth is, before we look at 'them' we need to dare to look at ourselves and apply this worthy challenge to where we are presently at with God. Are we just believers? Jesus never told us to make, or merely be, believers but rather disciples. Why? There can sometimes be a big difference between the two –think about it, you can believe in something and actually do nothing about it. To believe in something takes no real effort, just decisions. But to be a follower or disciple of something or someone means you daily commit to be transformed into their likeness and live out a life that looks like theirs.
Compared to being a disciple, being a believer can be really easy but it is not enough to change a world. Believers see their world changed; disciples do as well but they also change the worlds of others. Jesus is looking for people who, yes, believe in Him, but then take it further and leave their comfort zones and become disciples (followers of Him). Don't get me wrong, both go to heaven – because all you need to do to be saved is believe in Jesus – but not both live a life that is the adventure Jesus invited us all to experience. Disciples step out of their own saved worlds for the benefit of others.
How about you, Champion – are you a Believer or are you a Disciple? Are you a daily follower of Jesus, living out His life for all to see? May we, like Paul, be able to daily say, "Follow me as I follow Christ".
Bless you,
Andy
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