The goal of “Discipleship” isn’t that complicated. For real—it’s not!
The reason we make it so complicated is that we don’t believe in the life-transforming power of the Gospel of grace (Acts 20:24), which is called the Gospel of God (Romans 1:1) and the Gospel of the Son (Romans 1:9).
The Gospel, or Good News, is an announcement that Israel’s Messiah (Jesus) has defeated sin, death, and evil through His sinless life, atoning death on the cross, resurrection, and exaltation back into glory to rule the universe at the right hand of His father.
And through Jesus’ epic victory, by grace a new people of God (Church) is formed as they respond in faith to His loving initiatives by the Spirit’s presence and power.
As the new people of God, they are empowered to fulfill their purpose which Jesus communicated:
Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31 ESV
Jesus, the last Adam, is God the Father’s blueprint of for our lives. Jesus loved, God, Himself, and others.
Discipleship is the art of fathering, mothering, mentoring, teaching, correcting, and inspiring people in the context of the local church to love in a triune way: We were recreated in Christ to love God, to love ourselves, and to love our neighbors.
Love expresses the totality of God’s will for our lives:
“For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.” Galatians 5:6 NLT
“For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14 NLT
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love.” Galatians 5:22 ESV
“Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14 ESV
“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:14 NLT
The goal of discipleship is to partner with God the Holy Spirit to live a life of love and help other live that life as well. This is how the Gospel of grace brings forth the Kingdom of God in the ordinariness of life.
For more on my perspective of discipleship, check out my book Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future.
