“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
John 13:34-35 NLT
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20 NRSV
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 NRSV
Unless you’re walking in the power and love of God, you are not ready to be a disciple nor make disciples. God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. That will bear witness if you are walking with God. These signs will follow those that believe, in My Name they will drive out demons, etc.
The Bible clearly records the steps Jesus took to fulfill His earthly ministry of making disciples to continue His ministry after His ascension into Heaven. The Son of God taught His disciples how to do what He did. They cast out demons, healed the sick and preached the Gospel.
If you’re wondering what your purpose in life is, it’s what God says it is: love one another and make disciples. In the natural, a man and a woman come together and create children. Ideally, they disciple their children in the Way of the Lord. When that doesn’t happen, all of humanity suffers from the ripple effects of a life of sin.
This is where we are called to action. Go and make disciples. Jesus picked uneducated, common men from various walks of life. This was to prove that the only requirement to be a disciple is to be with Jesus. In fact, Jesus never leaves His disciples. We are vessels of the Holy Spirit, filled with the presence of God, meant to be poured out as a love offering.
It’s interesting that before the disciples received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, they were still able to heal the sick and cast out demons in the Name of Jesus. All authority in Heaven and Earth has been given to Jesus and He sends us with delegated authority to accomplish His mission.
Your testimony speaks of what you have witnessed God do in your life. It’s one of the most effective tools for evangelism. No one can take your lived experience away.
What has God done in your life? Go share the Good News. You’re not responsible for what other people do with that news. That’s on them. If God wants them to believe at that time, they will. If it’s not their time, don’t worry about it. God is sovereign. His will is unstoppable. We don’t know the times or seasons that the Father has ordained. We just faithfully tell the truth in love.
What does God command us to do? Love one another. Make disciples. If you’re unsure how to do that, visit our resources page for free online training. If you’re interested in joining a cohort, either online or in person (Portland, Oregon, USA), indicate so on our contact page and we’ll get back to you soon. We hope to be starting new groups in January 2022.
May the Lord bless you and keep you and commission you into His holy service. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.