Synopsis
This manuscript ‘Discipleship: Led to Led, is written to the glory of the Lord and Christ Jesus. In the initial call of Christ, to men, He purposed was a call of discipleship. As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mark 1:16–17) Christ’s charisma was such that “at once they left their nets and followed him” (v. 18). After that, He gave the same call to others. After He rose from the dead, but before He ascended to heaven, Jesus gave to these same men (and to us) the command “Go and make disciples of all nations,” adding the assurance “Surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19–20). This is the true calling and function of the church. It is the privilege and responsibility of the whole church to respond in obedience and give the whole gospel to the world. The secret of spiritual growth is your focus, upon Christ Jesus. The Christian focus should be upon the joy that Christ Jesus provides. The world cannot provide for believer’s true joy. Occasionally, in this world we find joy. Sometimes, joy is found, when we listened to a piece of music, achieve a certain goal, or gain promotions of some sort. But joy, in this world, never comes when we selfishly seek for it or tried to buy it. The joy always comes from outside of oneself. The same holds true in your spiritual growth. You cannot grow spiritually through self-effort. Maybe, you can live a cleaner, more moral life for a time, but spiritual growth is not about that. It is about becoming like Christ from within (John 17:20-23), reflecting Him and building your relationship with Him. Self-effort causes you to reflect your own corrupt sin-nature because what comes out is what you put in. Focus on Christ, and you will grow: Your understanding of God’s word, will grow, by reading the Bible to know the Author. It is not just about, knowing about God. It is about knowing, God. Your faith will not grow by believing “harder”, but by focusing on the One in whom you believe, Jesus Christ. Knowing God, will produce a more loving, gentler, disciple. It will change the focus on the source of your spiritual growth, Jesus Christ. Discipleship will happen, when the focus on discipling, is on Christ. Disciples must confess and abandon all that hinders their relationship with Christ, and turn their will, over to His.
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