Discipleship

Jesus tells us in Matthew 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Jesus speaks to us repeatedly that there is a difference between believing in Jesus and being a disciple of Jesus. One part of several definitions listed in the American Heritage Dictionary defines a disciple as “One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another”. Matthew chapters 5 and 7 are rich in spiritually practical examples and capture the heart of the Father in training up His children in diverse subjects.

The Sermon on the Mount illustrates succinctly the benefits and blessings of humility, holiness, and harmony with other believers. To be an effective disciple we must maintain our 'saltiness'. Pliny states that “Without salt human life cannot be sustained.” So, too, our spiritual life shrivels and dies without the salt of Christ-likeness shining forth in our lives. As we are called to discipleship of others we must have purity in our hearts and clean hands, leading a life of righteousness. Without our character being strong, our witness will be weak. A life lived for Christ speaks louder than our words spoken in the grandest of halls with shallowness and void of substance. Character is among the greatest forms of true wealth.

In Matthew 5:14-15 we read, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.” Our light as 'flaming fires for Jesus' must illuminate the darkness of this world and even a small light can brighten the darkest room. Darkness never replaces the light unless the light is removed. Light is greater than darkness. Our illuminated witness brings glory to God always.

Christ speaks in Matthew 5:21-30 of our conscience remaining free from outbursts of anger and adultery. We are to be ambassadors of love and loyalty to our spouses, even virtual lusting is not approved of by the Lord. In Matthew 6:19-21 Jesus speaks to us to “lay up our treasures in heaven.” We are stewards of what belongs to God. We are to use all He blesses us with for His glory, reminding us that in Heaven, neither “moth nor rust can destroy.” The love of money is the root of all evil and when we 'send it on ahead' it keeps our eye on God, for if we aim to prosper materially, it leads to darkness within. We must maintain our inward light in order to glorify God (Matthew 6:33), even in the area of finances, resources, and other 'tools' to be used for the glory of God, or if used wrongly, for the dark realm.

In addition to Jesus' admonishments to abstain from violent fits of anger and even virtual adultery in our hearts and minds, to also not violate our love commitments to our spouse and family,for any type of disloyalty impacts many people, just like ripples in the calm water. While there are certain grounds for divorce as delineated in Matthew 5:31-32 we are blessed when we remain faithful, receiving blessings in our own bodies in addition to our families. We are also commanded to not violate our legal commitments or commit perjury and even swear an oath, having our yes mean yes. Our giving of alms and our prayers unto the Lord are not be done in a self-trumpeting manner or in seeking personal promotion or attention, for Jesus spoke of the widow with two mites having given more than any others on one occasion in the temple.

Jesus teaches us how to come to the Father, through Him, in Matthew 6:5-15 “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”

“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Jesus is the master discipler encompassing all the gifts, character, and perfected humility to effectively disciple the nations in the ways of God the Father.

Jesus eloquently prescribes the removal of any critical spirit in our daily walk. Hudson Taylor, the great missionary to China, says, “God gave us a spirit of discernment, not to criticize, but to intercede.” So, too, in Matthew 7:1-5 we are reminded to remove the mote from our own eye before we criticize our brother. This law of reciprocity behooves us to walk in generous amounts of grace, as it is given to us freely, freely we should bestow grace upon our brother. Likewise, in verse 6 we are to exercise wise judgment with those whom we are dealing, in order that our dispersal of wisdom, resources, or time are not abused or unappreciated, perhaps, leading to nullification of the Lord's trust in us.

To whom much is given, much is required. Let us be faithful stewards of the glorious gifts from our Father God. Surely, the wisdom provided in Christ's words to reach, teach, and make disciples of all nations is a river of wisdom and love that can never be exhausted.