August 12 | What Kind of Person Does God Want Me to Be?

Series | The Purpose Filled Life

Scripture | Matthew 28:19-20, “19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Lesson 12 | What Kind of Person Does God Want Me to Be?

God desires all people to be disciples of Jesus.  After a person has been born again God commands them to be Jesus’ disciple.  The word “disciple” simply means, “student or devoted follower.”  Accordingly, everyone should not only “believe in Jesus,” but also be trained and equipped to “live like Jesus!”

John records the following words of Jesus in John 8:31-32 to those who had simply “believed” in Him, “31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  Jesus clearly distinguished between their “belief” and their “actions.”

James also noted this difference between faith and works in James 2:17, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”  Therefore, God desires all people not only to have “faith” in Him but also to “obey all that he commanded.”

The only way a person can “obey” all that Jesus commanded is if they are first “taught” all that Jesus commanded- hence, the reason for being involved in discipleship.  Consider discipleship the school in which the disciple enrolls in and is apart of until they reach heaven.  Thus, not only is everyone to “become” a disciple, but also God commands all disciples to be “dedicated” to discipleship for the entirety of their lives.

At the same time, the work of being a disciple is not done in human effort- it is initiated, maintained, and accomplished by the Holy Spirit.  Jesus said in John 6:63, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.”   

Therefore, be a disciple of Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit!

Reflection | Are you a disciple of Christ?

Action | (1) Become a disciple of Christ if you haven’t already. (2) Learn and obey all of Jesus’ commands. (3) Lastly, depend upon the Holy Spirit to empower you to be Jesus’ disciple.  

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Nehemiah 3:15-5:13, 1 Corinthians 7:25-40, Psalm 32:1-11, & Proverbs 21:5-7. Click here to read online.