What is discipleship?
It is a relationship to the Trinity. We know God as a Dad, Christ as a Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit as an enabler. But certain things should occur within us if discipleship is really taking place. Those three things are described in Colossians 2. Paul writes, “For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are in Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, that their hearts may be encouraged . . .”.
In verse one and two, Paul the Apostle talks about how he agonizes and struggles, so that certain things would go on within the hearts and the relationships of believers in Laodicea. The first reality that Paul looks for in a truly discipled individual is an encouraged heart. The goals of discipleship are relational with the Trinity and emotional within the hearts and lives of believers. A truly discipled Christian is one who is deeply encouraged by the free gift of a transparent relationship to God the Father through Jesus Christ. That Christian is encouraged because they feel loved and they feel accepted. Not only does the Christian understand the truth, but they have chosen to believe the truth so that they feel the truth. The Holy Spirit takes our faith in the truth and turns it into an emotional force within.
