"Go
therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I
commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the
age." Matthew 28:19-20 NASB
From understanding and knowledge we are to become disciples
of the kingdom who "do" ... those who live the Word of God day in and
out. The disciple’s major responsibility
was to interpret the kingdom of heaven to the world (evangelize) through their
life actions. We might say disciples
make disciples. Those who will not
learn will never teach but those who never teach what they know will never
truly understand it. A disciple of
Christ is to have an understanding of the kingdom truths and workings from
experience.
"If there is anything
hidden from us as disciples today, it is because we are not in a fit state to
understand it. As soon as we become fit in spiritual character, the thing is
revealed; it is concealed at God's discretion until the life is developed
sufficiently." -- Oswald Chambers
Someone has said we often emphasize "learning" at
the expense of "living." We
have churches full of literate learners of the Bible and illiterate livers of
the Bible in everyday life. This should
never be true of the kingdom disciple, for learning with understanding enhances
our living.
"The
good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and
the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth
speaks from that which fills his heart. Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and
do not do what I say?” Luke 6:45-46
Jesus cuts through the chase with this clear truth about our
human nature. We reveal our character in
our actions. Learning of and living in
the kingdom truths and principles should bear witness to what is leading
us. However, we are not perfect in our
understanding or in our behavior. Paul the
Apostle stated that the very things he wanted to do (his understanding) were
the very things he didn’t (his nature).
It is only as we follow the promptings of the Spirit who draws from the
well of our knowledge of God that we truly serve Christ.
As a steward of God’s Word we bring its truth through our
learning, living and leading so as to distribute the truth of the kingdom of
heaven. We are to be about giving out
God's truth through our words and life actions. Paul told the Thessalonians that the problem
was not with the instructions but the application. Finally,
then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received
from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that
you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the
Lord Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2 ESV
Before you go to the next Bible study or conference to learn
something additional to our present understanding, maybe we need to answer
Jesus question from Matthew 13:51,"Have
you understood all these things?" and
then answer it with our service.
Scripture to Claim:
But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the
gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our
hearts. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 ESV