There
are two primary resulting groups of Christian disciples. Both of these groups
are called to produce other disciples. Neither is exempt from the Great
Commission. Neither group is more important than the other. Every disciple is
commissioned to reproduce themselves as regenerated spiritually redeemed people
through the work of Jesus Christ and the ministry of His Holy Spirit.
The first group we will refer
to as the “workers”. “Workers”
are disciples who joyfully
support
the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They do this with the commitment of
their time, their abilities and God-given talents and their resources, including
financial and tangible possessions.
“Workers”
are also disciples who passionately
do ministry in the
Kingdom of God. They are willing and active in their participation of service
however they can best be utilized to perpetuate the Gospel of Jesus Christ
and/or advance God’s Kingdom here on earth.
Finally, “workers”
are disciples who are personally
disciplined to become more
Christ-like as they mature and grow in their faith. They are determined and
dedicated to follow the example that Jesus Christ gave us in His earthly
ministry.
The next group of disciples we
will call “warriors”. “Warriors”
are disciples who are who
are inspired to be
leaders of other Christians. They acknowledge a personal call in their life
from God to do specific tasks in the leadership of the Church. This is always
affirmed by other Christians as an easily identifiable calling from God. There
are no self-proclaimed warriors.
“Warriors”
are also disciples who initiate
new applicable ministries.
They are able to see new horizons and definable needs. They are willing and
able to be led by the Holy Spirit in creative ways to accomplish multi-level
tasks that produce solutions and fulfillment in ministry applications.
Finally “warriors”
are disciples who are more
personally disciplined to become more
Christ-like as they continue to mature and grow in their faith. They are
determined and dedicated to follow the example that Jesus Christ gave us in His
earthly ministry. This should sound familiar?
There
is a blended form of these two groups. However, generally even the blended disciple
form will noticeably lean more toward one type of these two disciple groups.
The apostle Paul gives a very good description of the general lifestyle of the
Christian disciple in his letter to the church at Colossae.
Paul speaks to them about the
calling to
discipleship and the Christ-like lifestyle they should reflect in their lives.
He also tells them how they should relate to each other as fellow disciples in
a loving way, which will ultimately bring about unity. Then Paul speaks of the
rule and authority of Jesus Christ in our hearts and how that stimulates us to
be continually discipling each other through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
And then finally he tells them that that everything they do or say should be
because of Jesus Christ, and that lifestyle will produce a grateful heart in
each one of them toward God.
So,
as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one
another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a
complaint against anyone ; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
Beyond all these things put on love,
which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your
hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let
the word of Christ richly dwell within
you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks through Him to God the Father. (Colossians 3:12-17)
Discipleship,
though it start on an individual basis, is a team effort. It is a daily process
that ends at mortal death. It is an interactive growth between all Christian
disciples. We each need each other’s efforts and understanding of the life of Jesus
Christ to become closer related to the God that made us, saved us and sustains
us.
It is important not to forget the lifestyle
and
responsibilities that are involved in the process of Christian discipleship. It
is in a vibrant continuous discipleship that God’s Kingdom is advanced here on
earth and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is perpetuated on to the following
generations. It is a process of learning to be like Jesus Christ more today
than we did yesterday. This is the very essence of our discipleship.