Today, Friday May 28
Every Man, Every Woman, Everyone Colossians 1:27-29 “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.”
If you want to know what was the heartbeat and driving passion of the Apostle Paul in his ministry, you will find it in these verses. It was over fifty years ago that I became a follower of Jesus Christ (February 21, 1971). Immediately after that, it also became my desire to help and lead others to faith in Christ. As a young pastor it also became very apparent to me that my main ministry is what Paul describes in these verses.
Did you notice that three times Paul uses the phrase “every man?” As he preached Christ, he “warned every man”, he taught every man”, and his goal was to “present every man mature in Christ Jesus”. Of course this implies, every man, every woman, every boy, every girl and for that matter, everyone!
Paul’s main ministry goal was to disciple every believer to maturity in Christ Jesus. Now if we are going to follow Paul’s example, that “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6), we need to know what it means to be a true disciple, a genuine follower of Jesus Christ.
I believe it involves at least five things. The first evidence that I am a genuine disciple of Jesus means that I am established in the Word of God on a regular daily basis. I know how to feed myself on the Word. Secondly, it means that I am established in a prayer life of daily communion with the Lord. Third, it means that I am established in a fellowship of believers that encourage me, exhort me and hold me accountable. Fourth, it means that I know my spiritual gifts and I am exercising them in the body of Christ, the local church. And finally, it means that I am leading others to faith in Christ and discipling them to become fruitful, mature disciples, followers of Jesus Christ too!
Are you a genuine follower of Jesus Christ? Is there evidence of others following and living for Christ as a result of your labor and service to the Lord? My, friend this is what will truly change and impact the world around us!
God bless!
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