Encouraging Word
The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 tells us to go and share the Gospel and make disciples. A Christian disciple is a student and follower of Jesus Christ. Discipleship is teaching and training one to become like Christ. Matthew 16:24 gives us the steps to becoming a disciple: deny self, die to sins control, and be devoted to the Savior. Once a person decides to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior, there are three requirements to being a “Christ follower.”
1. Deny Self. This means to stop being selfish, to no longer serve or worship self, and to give up the myth of being self-sufficient. It also means to reject the unhealthy love of self and make room for Jesus and others.
2. Die to Sin. Jesus said to take up your cross. The cross meant death. Because of Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins, we can now have victory over sin. Revelation 12:11 says, “and they overcame by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony…” Jesus rescued us from the penalty of sin (Romans 6:23) and the power of sin (Romans 6:14).
3. Devoted to the Savior. Jesus said to “follow Him.” Follow means to adhere to, come after, and become like. He is to be our Teacher, Master, and Guide. We are to receive His teaching, follow His example, and submit to His will. Romans 12:1 says that we are to present our bodies as a living and holy sacrifice. Galatians 2:20 says that we are to be crucified with Christ so that He can live in us. II Corinthians 5:17 says that we are to become new creatures “in Christ,” with the “new” overtaking the “old.”
Let’s make sure we are committed to Christian discipleship by denying self, dying to sin’s bondage, and being devoted to the Savior!
-Tony Cooper
Director Emeritus of Jimmie Hale Mission
