In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus said: “19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. 

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    As Christians we are all called to make disciples. However, in order to make disciples we first need to become one.  A disciple of Christ learns His doctrines which are found in the Bible and lives according to them. If as Christians we do not immerse ourself in the teachings of Christ first, we will not be able to effectively make disciples. 

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    Notice that we are sent to teach. If we do not know what to teach, then we cannot teach. It is therefore imperative that we learn from the word of God and become good disciples ourselves. For what is a disciple but one who learns. In John 8:31 we read: “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believe Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” Therefore, abiding in God’s word is a requirement for a true and well trained disciple.

 

     Hence, “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.” (Luke 40). A disciple not only learns from the word of God, but practices it for “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” (1 John 2:6) If we know the word of God and live according to what it stipulates then we are being His disciples. On the other hand,  if we know the word and do not allow that word to change the way we think, talk, act, look, walk, etc. then we are not true disciples. There must be a transformation first in us in order to be able to effectively testify to others about such transformation. However, we cannot do this alone, we must rely on the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, for Jesus warned us of this when he spoke the following words: “ Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”John 15:4-5 

 

    How do we abide in Him then? It is through communion with Him. That is talking to Him (prayer), listening to Him through His word (studying the Bible), Humbling yourself and seeking Him (fasting) and walking in the Spirit (This is simply saying no to our fleshly desires and always choosing God’s way instead of our own). When a believer perseveres in doing these things God notices, it is pleasing to Him and He will ensure that you are given the spiritual gifts you need to overcome and bear much fruit for His glory.