Unveiling the Secret Ingredient of Discipleship

As Jesus completed His earthly mission and prepared to return to the Father, He left His followers with a crucial task—He asked them to "make disciples of all nations." This mission, known as the Great Commission, has become the driving force behind Christian growth and community-building.

In our efforts to heed Jesus' command and nurture dedicated disciples, there's a not-so-secret ingredient at play—the profound love of Christ. This love, displayed magnificently on the cross, serves as the foundation of the Christian faith and guides us on the path to authentic discipleship. 

Jesus highlights the crucial role of love in discipleship, as recorded in John 13:34-35. He emphasizes a new commandment: "Love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this, all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Before we delve into learning how to love others, let’s first understand the profound love Jesus has bestowed upon us. 

Know the Love of Christ

God's justice demands that sinful humanity experience eternal punishment in hell. But in His love, God made a way for us to be reconciled with Him. The only solution was a sacrificial offering that could satisfy the demands of divine justice. Only the Sinless Lamb of God—His Only Begotten Son, Jesus—could fulfill this role.

God's love, characterized by selflessness and denial of self, is vividly demonstrated on the cross. Christ's sacrifice was not for His sake but for the redemption of sinners who had no hope of reconciliation with God. This is a selfless act of love extended to those who cannot repay.

The extent of Christ's love is seen in His willingness to leave the heavenly realms, take on human form, and endure the challenges of earthly life. From birth to death on the cross, Christ experienced the human condition, including persecution from those He came to save.

This sacrificial act serves as a constant reminder of God's love, especially during times of calamity, sickness, or death. When doubts about God's love arise, the cross stands as an unequivocal testament to His unwavering and boundless love. It Is at the cross God proved His love for us.

The not-so-secret sauce of discipleship lies in embracing and sharing the love of Christ. This love becomes the foundation upon which the church is built and should be the focal point of its mission.

Love Each Other as Christ Loves

Jesus' directive to "Love one another, even as I have loved you" is defined by a unique kind of love—agape. This command embodies the essence of Jesus' teachings, rooted in selflessness and sacrifice.

To live out this command, we need to personally encounter the love of Christ. Our ability to authentically share God's love stems from firsthand experiences and encounters with His grace. This personal understanding empowers us to extend grace to others. The love we've received through Christ Jesus should be the driving force behind our love for others.

Before the world can observe our discipleship in action, it must first unfold within the Body of Christ. The Apostle Paul underscores this internal foundation by emphasizing the significance of love in 1 Corinthians 13:1-7. Here, he highlights that even the most extraordinary spiritual gifts lose their value if not accompanied by love.

The church, as a reflection of Christ's body, should be a place where grace is experienced, a sense of belonging is felt, and selfless love abounds. It should be a community where forgiveness, kindness, gentleness, and patience thrive. A growing church is growing in love.

More than attracting people to its doors, a church's true success lies in fostering love that sets it apart from the outside world. The church is a transformative space where those needing healing become more like Christ.

The emphasis on the Great Commission typically centered around making disciples, sometimes neglects a vital ingredient—loving one another as Jesus loves. In Matthew 16:24, Jesus articulates that discipleship encompasses denying oneself, taking up one's cross, and following Him. It is embracing sacrificial love. 

Tell the World of His Love 

The love of God should be preached to the world to make more disciples for Jesus. Before we can guide someone into becoming a disciple of Jesus, they must first grasp the message of the cross—God's love manifested through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. 

We are called to share the most incredible love story ever—The Gospel. Our message needs to be rooted in the heart of the Gospel, which is God's love. It's about the selfless sacrifice of Jesus as an incredible provision for all of humanity.

John 3:16-18 says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

The Scripture is a powerful tool for others to know Jesus as it emphasizes the love of God. In it is written the offer of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone.  As we make disciples of Jesus, we must be prepared to share the truth of His Word with the fallen world. By doing so they may know the love of God. 

Making disciples for Jesus also involves a visible demonstration of God's love, not a hidden service. It calls for selfless love that stands out in a world filled with conformity.  Jesus desires that all men will know that we are His disciples. There are no secret disciples. We must illuminate God’s light to others through love. 

Show kindness. Exhibit goodness. Demonstrate gentleness. Practice patience. Display self-control. Remember, the first Bible that the world reads is our life. The question arises: Does the world see the life of Christ in us? Are they exposed to the love of Christ? 

In the not-so-secret sauce of discipleship, preaching the Gospel takes center stage. However, it is equally essential to allow the world to experience the love that captivated us through the Gospel. By embodying grace and love, disciples contribute to the transformation of lives and the fulfillment of Christ's command to tell and show the world His love.

Embracing the Challenge of Being a Disciple of Christ

Being a disciple of Christ isn't a hidden identity; it's a badge we proudly wear. This badge carries a dual responsibility: firstly, to those outside the church who observe our lives, and secondly, to those within the church who are on the journey of discipleship with us. This challenge necessitates both sharing the Gospel with the world and exemplifying discipleship within the community of believers.

People outside the church, whether they be our colleagues, neighbors, or casual observers, should not only know the Gospel but experience the love of Christ through its message and our lives. The badge of being a disciple extends beyond the church walls into our everyday interactions.

Within the church, fellow believers should not just hear about discipleship but witness it in action. Making disciples begins with others recognizing that you are a disciple of God. The challenge is to visibly and experientially show that you are a committed follower of Christ.

As disciples, our lives must reflect the calling to love others. Set an example for others to follow, demonstrating the love that defines a disciple of Christ. We must boldly proclaim the Gospel, recognizing it as the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.

Our commitment is toward love. Romans 13:8 highlights the importance of owing nothing to anyone except to love one another. Loving our neighbor fulfills the law and showcases our identity as disciples.

Being a disciple of Christ is not a passive role—it's an active, visible commitment. As we carry the badge of discipleship, both outside and inside the church, let us embrace the challenge with boldness and conviction. In doing so, we not only fulfill our duty as disciples but also contribute to the advancement of the Kingdom of God and the transformation of many people’s lives!