What Lies Beneath?

Much of our ministry has been focused on discipleship. In fact, that's the chief emphasis of the Great Commission: As you go about the business of life, MAKE DISCIPLES! The imperative is not in the going, but in the making of disciples. But what should be the goal of discipleship? To make good church members? To make others disciples of ourselves so that we can convince them to vote our way on issues that arise? No!

The goal is stated in 2 Corinthians 6:17-7:1: "'Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.' 'I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.' Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God."

That's it! Did you catch it? The goal of discipleship is perfecting holiness out of reverence for God! Our job as believers, then, is to commit to this process for ourselves and to become catalysts for others to help them get farther along on their journey to holiness. And why should we do this? Out of reverence for God!

Are you perfecting holiness or rejecting holiness? Are you committed to doing everything possible to perfect holiness in you? We have to run from those things that tempt us and embrace those things that build us up in Christ Jesus. Let's recommit right now to doing that today. You'll bring glory to the Holy One of God.