Weekend, May 6, 2023
The Sweet Spot of the Christian Life
“If you love me, obey my commandments.” (John 14:15 NLT)
If you play tennis, then you know that a tennis racket has a sweet spot. If you hit it, then you have maximum control and effect.
In the same way, the Christian life has a sweet spot. We find it in what we call the Great Commission. Here Jesus said, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20 NLT).
But what does it mean to make disciples? It means taking a new believer under our wing to help them get established and grow spiritually. At the same time, it includes having someone in our lives who is helping us to grow as well.
God has called Christians to be disciples and disciple makers. And preferably we will do both at the same time.
Also, if you have accepted Christ, then you should be baptized. To be clear, baptism isn’t necessary for salvation. Neither is praying, studying the Bible, or attending church. But those are all good things to do. And Jesus specifically commanded it (see verse 19). So, we’re to begin with this simple act of obedience.
Next, we should obey God’s commands. Jesus said, “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.” Before we can teach others to obey His commands, we must first obey them ourselves.
Maybe you’re thinking, “I don’t know if anyone can live up to those standards.” We can. And we must if we are going to be disciples. This is not an issue of whether we can do it. It’s an issue of whether we will do it.
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The book of Revelation is one of the most fascinating and misunderstood books in the Bible. In The Revelation Answer Book, respected prophecy teacher Mark Hitchcock walks through key questions about Revelation in a clear and engaging Q&A format. You’ll explore topics like the mark of the beast, the identity of the 144,000, the Antichrist, the Tribulation, and the return of Jesus, all with solid biblical insight and a focus on hope. Request your copy this month with your gift to Harvest Ministries.
