In my last post, I talked about the fact that, in and of ourselves, we are ill-equipped to make disciples. It is God’s work. We cannot be disciples apart from God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) and we cannot make disciples apart from the work of God in and through us (John 15:5). We are truly fellow-workers with God in His purposes to raise up others who follow and learn from Jesus!
And, just as a surgeon, master plumber, or carpenter has instruments and assistants he utilizes to accomplish his work with expertise, so God has instruments and partners that He works with in raising up disciples.
Let’s remind ourselves of God’s instrument and some of His partners in the disciplemaking process.
- One Instrument: God’s Word, the “sharp” tool God uses in growing followers of Christ (Colossians 3:16, Hebrews 4:12)
- Three Partners:
- Other believers (Proverbs 27:17, 1 Corinthians 12); He uses other gifted lovers of Jesus to shape us.
- Angels (Hebrews 1:13,14); even heavenly beings are sent to serve us as we live and grow as Christ followers.
- The indwelling Holy Spirit (John 16:13); the third person of the Trinity continues to speak truth we need to hear on our journey in Christ.
When we obediently join God in this work of raising up disciples of Jesus, we benefit from the resources of God. The work of disciplemaking is not a lone-wolf enterprise. God’s powerful Word, partnership with other believers, the ministry of angels, and the indwelling Spirit of God are all involved.
How does it feel knowing that you are not alone in your ministry?
What are practical ways you can apply these truths as you reach out to others or meet with friends to help them grow spiritually?