Before the CrossSample

Before The Cross: We Are Disciples

By now, we’ve read that we are sinful, but we can be forgiven through what Jesus did for us on the cross, which is great news! So, being that we have forgiveness through Christ, what do we do now? What does God call us to do as Christians?

“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20

This is the last thing Jesus told us before He ascended into heaven.

We are disciples who are to go out and make disciples. We are to spread the Gospel to all people, wherever we are at. God may call us to go around the world or to go next door to our neighbor, but regardless, we are representatives of Christ who share the good news.

It isn’t our responsibility to actually change someone (only God can do that), but we are to love others and share the message. Jonathan Dodson says, “Disciple is an identity; everything else is a role.” We have a new identity as soon as we decide to follow Christ and wherever we find ourselves, that is where God has placed us to make much of Him.

As we love others and tell them about Christ, we help train them and show them how to do the same thing with others. We show them how to make disciples that will turn around, and make more disciples. This is how the Church will grow and more people will get the opportunity to hear about what Jesus has done for them. Jesus commanded this to all believers.

So it is as we come before the cross, for those who follow Jesus, that we realize we are disciples. We have a new identity from that point forward. We must be careful not to become prideful in the process.

The cross helps keep us guarded by humbling us…