Have you ever wondered what the ultimate goal of discipleship is? Is it just about gaining knowledge or adhering to religious rituals? Or is there something more profound and transformative that we should be striving for? During most of my pulpit engagement for the better part of 2023, I have had the joy and privilege of sharing Biblical truths on discipleship and how the Word challenges us to become Christ-like in character and values each day. I am delighted to share with you some insights as you shine your light in the marketplace. This serves as a polite reminder that every day, you have an opportunity to be a disciple wherever you may be. If you haven’t already, I welcome you to stream our service “The Endgame of Discipleship,” for some context.
The Ultimate Goal of Discipleship
Discipleship is not a one-time event or a destination we arrive at but rather a lifelong journey that begins with spiritual rebirth that extends into serving God. It is about continually growing in our relationship with Christ, aligning our thoughts, actions, and desires with His, and becoming more like Him in every aspect of our lives.
There are two basic indicators of effective discipleship namely equipped and edified (built-up) saints. Effective discipleship produces equipped saints. The word equip means making someone or something adequate or sufficient for something. In classical Greek, the word equip was used to describe restoring a dislocated limb or of setting broken bones in place.
In today’s church, there is an erroneous distinction between clergy and laity, with the clergy being responsible for all the ministry while the laity plays a spectator role. However, the Biblical concept of equipping the saints challenges this notion. Believers are to be made adequate, sufficient, and re-aligned for ministry to serve in various capacities.
Imagine a church where everyone is actively involved, using their gifts and talents to advance the Kingdom of God. This is the kind of church that breaks down barriers and builds a strong community of believers, united in purpose and mission.
Edified Saints
Effective discipleship edifies the body of Christ. Edification means constructed, built up, established, instructed, enlightened, informed, and improved. The goal is that the entire body of Christ will grow to unity, maturity, and Christ-likeness.
The characteristics include growth, unity of faith, maturity, and ultimately reaching the fullness of Christ. It is a process of building up one another, encouraging and challenging each other to become Christ-like.
Growth
Effective discipleship leads to the growth of the church in quantity and quality. As true disciples of Christ, we can’t help but share His love and message with others, leading to the expansion of the church. Growth is not just numerical but qualitative. This involves deepening our knowledge and love for Christ through the study of God’s Word.
Unity of Faith
Unity of faith goes beyond mere agreement on doctrines. It involves a shared commitment to Christ and His mission beyond ethnic, social, economic, and political differences. It is through this unity that we can effectively impact the world and bring about transformation in our communities.
Maturity
Maturity in discipleship refers not only to individual spiritual growth but also to the corporate maturity of the church. Just as a child grows and matures into a full-grown adult, so should our faith journey. We should no longer be like infants, tossed back and forth by every wind of doctrine, but rather mature believers who are grounded in the truth of God’s Word.
Maturity requires discipline, perseverance, and a deepening relationship with Christ. It is a lifelong process that involves surrendering our will to God and allowing His Spirit to transform us from the inside out.
The Fullness of Christ
The ultimate aim of discipleship is to reach the fullness of Christ. This means embodying His character, reflecting the fullness of God, and living in the power of His Spirit. It is a high standard that we should strive for in our walk of faith.
As we grow in discipleship, we become more like Christ in our thoughts, words, and actions. We become vessels of His love, grace, and mercy to the world around us. Our lives become a living testimony of His transformative power, drawing others to Him and bringing glory to His name.
In closing, the endgame of discipleship goes far beyond gaining knowledge or adhering to religious rituals. It is about becoming more Christlike in character and values, equipping and edifying one another, growing in unity and faith, attaining maturity, and ultimately reaching the fullness of Christ. As believers, let us embrace this lifelong journey of discipleship with open hearts and minds. Let us challenge ourselves to be Christians in the marketplace, sacrificing our time, our giftings, and God-given resources, impacting our communities and the world for His Glory. May we continually seek to grow, learn, and be transformed by the power of His Spirit, becoming true disciples of Christ.
Have a blessed week ahead!