“…preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” – Colossians 1:28 (NKJV)
Matthew 28:19-20 tells us to go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. This is our command.
Thus, the heart of discipleship is doing the will of the Father. Jesus commanded His followers to extend His mission worldwide so that others could participate in and experience God’s salvation.
Moreover, baptism marks a person’s entrance into the community of faith. Being baptised in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is a confession of allegiance to the Trinity. This demonstrates a clear understanding of Jesus’ nature and identity as God, which is preached before baptism.
For us to be disciples, however, we must love the Lord, our God, with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37-40). This is the first and greatest commandment, while the second is: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” This means that commitment to doing God’s work is not partial, seasonal, or convenient; it is total. Commitment to Him should shape our priorities, decisions, and identity, which in turn, display our genuine love for God, that overflows into how we treat others: with compassion, patience, forgiveness, and dignity.
According to Jesus, the entire law and the prophets “hang” on these two commands, meaning every biblical instruction ultimately leads us back to loving God and loving people. Deuteronomy 6:5-9 also reminds us to teach them to our children so that they may know how to treat with God and others and not be led astray by sin.
Friends, love is the heart of God, and discipleship is what brings the lost back to the Father.
The entire Bible reveals the heart of God.
Testimony
Even before I committed my life to Christ, I always loved people. It was easy for me to forgive and show love because I understood faith and what it can do in people’s lives. So I always tried to be consistent in my conduct without really knowing God.
But in Christ, I received a deeper understanding that loving God and loving your neighbour was how God always wanted us to live, with a promise. If we do these things, we are His disciples.
Read: Leviticus 19:18; John 6:40
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 18:17-24; Proverbs 19:1-2; Romans 14:1-18; 1 Chronicles 9; 1 Chronicles 10