The Importance of Discipleship

 

"In the end, we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. And we will understand only what we are taught." Author Unknown

Martie and I visited the Brazos Bend State Park some days ago. Beautiful and peaceful. As we walked along a trail we came upon a tree stump and fastened on the slanted cutaway of that stump was a wonderful bronze plaque with that quote on it. It immediately caught my attention as I saw it as a timeless truth. With both with a natural and spiritual application.

"And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 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, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:18-20

It reminded me of the importance of Christian discipleship. Why I write these devotions. Jesus' emphasis on teaching others the precepts of the faith. Discipleship is not like teaching someone the three R's -  Reading, 'Riting, and 'Rithmetic. Those are subjects in school that appeal to the intellect of the student's mind. No, Discipleship appeals to our spiritual nature and speaks to our hearts. Eternal truths that are outside the bounds of human reasoning and will.  We are Discipled so that we will understand and embrace Spiritual Truth. When we understand spiritual truth, revealed by the Holy Spirit and confirmed in our hearts, we will love in the same way that God loves us.  Particularly in the context of the two greatest commandments.  

"Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.'” - Matthew 22:37-39

And when we love in the manner in which the Lord has commanded, our desire will be to preserve and protect others - not matter race, color, creed - we will want the best for mankind and be willing to lay our lives down for their good and God's glory.  All of that sitting on a stump along a nature trail in Texas. I wondered how many people have walked by that stump and did not even see the plaque. And how many people who did, wondered for a moment at its meaning and then walked on. To rephrase that quote, look at it in reverse.  

We are taught so we might understand. We love that which we understand. We conserve or protect or embrace that which we love. God and others. Standing next to that plaque, I wonder how many people heard the gentle voice of the Spirit of God saying "Consider your ways Christian"! 

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?" - Micah 6:8

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone