Sunday Southerner – REFLECTIONS

Bible Texts: Matthew 28:19–20; Luke 9:23; John 8:31–32 (NLT)

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)_

My dear brethren in Christ, Peace be with you. Today, God draws our attention to a very important aspect of human life that the dynamic nature of the modern world seems to have redefined. The things we learnt from our fathers seem to have lost their essence in reorientation, an attempt to fit into today’s world.

Hence, the need for discipleship.
Discipleship means following Jesus Christ, learning His ways, obeying His teachings, and becoming more like Him every day. Being a Christian is more than attending church, singing in the choir, or knowing Bible verses.

God wants us to develop a personal relationship with Him and allow His Word to influence how we live as He through us draw others to Himself. This means that Christianity is not just about receiving salvation; it is also about growing in Christ and helping others follow Him.

Following Jesus means allowing Him to direct our lives. It means putting God’s will above our selfish desires and making decisions that please Him. We cannot claim to follow Jesus while deliberately living against His teachings.
A true disciple does not only hear God’s Word; he or she practises it.

If the Bible teaches us to forgive, we must forgive. If it teaches us to love, we must love. If it teaches us to be honest, we must live honestly. Discipleship is demonstrated through our daily actions and character.

A disciple must continue to grow through prayer, studying the Bible, fellowship, and obedience to God’s Word. We should not remain at the same spiritual level year after year. Our attitudes, decisions, and relationships should increasingly reflect the character of Christ.

Following Jesus is not always convenient. Sometimes, it requires us to give up certain habits, relationships, or behaviours that do not please God. Matthew 16:24 reminds us that anyone who wants to follow Christ must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Him. Discipleship requires commitment, even when following Jesus becomes difficult.

God does not want us to keep the knowledge of Christ to ourselves. We should encourage others, share the Gospel, teach God’s Word, and help people grow in their relationship with Jesus. You do not need to be a pastor before you can influence someone positively for Christ. Your lifestyle, words, and actions can lead others closer to God.
My dear brethren in Christ. Discipleship is a daily commitment to follow Jesus, learn His teachings, obey His Word, and become more like Him.

It is not measured by how long we have attended church but by how faithfully we follow Christ. It is also in different aspects of life, you must be willing to learn and translate what you have learnt in to real life experiences and help grow others for a better humanity.

The question we must ask ourselves is: Am I just a churchgoer, or am I truly a disciple of Jesus Christ?

Let us make a decision to follow Jesus sincerely, grow in His Word, and help others discover Him.

A believer receives Christ, but a disciple commits to following Him daily.

May the Peace and Love of God that surpasses all things rest and abide in our hearts. Amen.