Peter reminds us that “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:22).
We are called to live like Jesus lived. If one studied Jesus’ perfect discipleship pattern before discipling someone, he would have a better understanding of what Biblical discipleships looks like. I think it shows a level of maturity to turn to God before trying to do it on your own. An aspect of Jesus’ discipleship that I find extremely important is that he did not only focus on one area and set aside the others. He taught the disciples, he ate and drank with them, he suffered with them, he did ministry with them, he told them when they were wrong, etc.
I have noticed a surprising lack of reliance on Scripture these days. The Scriptures should be our guide in our Christian walk. Before looking elsewhere, we should first look at the Scripture and the teachings of Jesus and others who were inspired by the Holy Spirit. So, I believe that if we truly discipled like Jesus and followed his teachings we would be stronger in our faith and our love for Scriptures would increase like David, who would meditate day and night on the Law of the Lord.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). What a convicting verse! We need to be emboldened to preach the truth of the Scriptures, for a time is coming and is already here when peoples’ ears will be tickled with false teachings (2 Timothy 4:1-5). It is not a matter of “if?” but “when?” Martin Luther is attributed with saying, “Peace if possible, truth at all costs.” We need to be prepared! And how do we prepare? We study Scripture, for it is perfect.
Editor’s Note: This article originally published December 10, 2018. Used with permission.
