My Discipleship Journey
LENT 2022 | DAY 2
Matthew 3:1-12 (NIV)
(Alex Lai, Associate Lay Leader)
READ:
Matthew 3:1-12 (NIV)
Matthew 3:2 (NIV) “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Matthew 3:8 (NIV) “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.”
Matthew 3:10 (NIV) “The ax is already at the root of the tress, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
OBSERVE:
After Malachi, there was no other prophet until John the Baptist came to fulfil Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 40:3. John came to preach one message — repent and turn back to God. To repent is to turn away from our sins and to turn towards God by allowing Him to change our minds (head), our heart and our ways (hands).
True repentance will produce good fruit if we walk intimately with God. Jesus reminds us that unless we abide in Him, we cannot bear fruit (John 15:4) and apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5).
Jesus warns us that if we do not abide in Him, we are like a tree or branch that does not bear fruit that will be thrown into the fire and burned (Matthew 3:10 and John 15:6).
APPLY:
Is my discipleship holistic and balanced? In my discipleship journey, I have come to realise that there was a period when I was overly focused on acquiring Bible knowledge (head) without allowing the Word to take root in my heart. There was another period when my discipleship was focused on seeking emotional highs (heart) which led to disappointment and disillusionment. And there was another period when my discipleship focused on serving (hands) and eventually my service became “going through the motions”.
Is my discipleship deeply rooted? Will I remain faithful in trying times when interruptions and significant circumstances come my way? Am I merely displaying outward piety without living a life of true repentance and transformation? Am I bearing good fruit in my life as a true disciple of Christ?
Am I walking intimately with God? In Genesis 5, we are told that Enoch didn’t simply live; he walked. That was the description of his life; not just living but walking with God. And while all the other characters in Genesis 5 died, Enoch was no more because God took him away. “Walking” is an entirely different way of living. “Walking” is the life of discipleship.
DO:
- I will immerse in the 5 faith environments of CORDS so that my discipleship is holistic and balanced.
- I will be an intentional disciple of Christ by abiding in Him and walking intimately with Him.
- I will take the next step to be accountable to a discipleship band in my discipleship journey.
PRAY:
Heavenly Father, grant me grace to abide in You and walk intimately with You. Help me to bear good fruit as a true disciple of Christ. Amen.
