I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you. Romans 1:12 NCV
God wired you so that when you help other people grow, God helps you grow. This is called discipleship. Jesus described it this way: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words].” Matthew 28:19 AMP
It is helping people learn about Christ, believe in Christ, and obey Christ. It benefits you too. You never grow faster than when you’re in fellowship with other believers and encouraging each other’s commitment to follow Jesus Christ.
The Bible says in 1 Timothy 4:7, “Keep yourself in training for a godly life” (GNT). How do you do that? Make sure that you are discipling someone and that you are being discipled yourself.
The best way for that to happen is in a small group. You stay in a small group, and you get a spiritual partner. This works on a familiar concept. Have you noticed that it’s always easier to exercise when you’re doing it with somebody else? All of the support groups (Alcoholics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, Weight Watchers, etc.) are based on this spiritual principle, notable in the early church. In the same way as in those groups that see many individuals accomplish herculean tasks, you need someone to walk alongside you through your journey of faith, and you need to make the same commitment to other people.
The world today doesn’t push you to commit to much of anything. It’s all about getting what you want right now. What you want can change from day to day, so the world says to just start going after something new each day, whether that’s a hobby, a job, a ministry, or even a person.
However, nothing affects your life more than your commitments. Tell me what you’re committed to, and I’ll tell you what you’re going to be in 20 years, because you are becoming whatever you are committed to. Your commitments shape your life! And if you’re not committed to anything, other people are shaping your life through your default.
Your commitments not only affect you here and now; they also affect eternity, because every choice you make has eternal consequences. That’s why the Bible says in Romans 1:12, “I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you” (NCV).
I want to encourage you to make a commitment to be in a group where you are discipling and being discipled. Remember, people who follow Jesus make disciples. Disciples make disciples.
He promises that He will always be with us. Jesus: “I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 AMP
We are generally pretty free with taking verses out of context. This is a great example. We use this verse independently, as if it’s a general promise made to everyone at any time. Not the case. Jesus is very specific. Verse 20 of Matthew 28 is in the same paragraph, immediately following the command to go and make disciples in Matthew 28:19. When does Jesus promise to always be with us? When we are working with Him in the task of making disciples.
Not sensing or feeling close to Jesus these days? If you’re feeling some distance, maybe it is because you are not with Him making disciples. That’s what Jesus is about. He wants to do it with you. Commit to making disciples and see if you don’t soon see a rise in your consciousness of Christ’s presence in your life.
Oh, yes, and remember, it starts at home first. You don’t have to look far for your first small group. 😊