Why Must We Make Disciples?

In my previous post, I explained how we are to make disciples. Now I'd like to explain why we must mentor these new citizens in the Kingdom of Heaven.

First of all, Satan is eager to derail the trust of these novices. One method he uses is persecution. In Christ's parable of the sower, he demonstrated how some believers would be turned away from him. Using a planting analogy, Christ said in Matthew 13:5  and 6 (BBE), "And some of the seed went among the stones, where it had not much earth, and straight away it came up because the earth was not deep: And when the sun was high, it was burned; and because it had no root it became dry and dead."

It isn't just persecution which turns people away from belief in Christ. Paul warned in 1 Timothy 4:1-3 (BBE), "But the Spirit says clearly that in later times some will be turned away from the faith, giving their minds to spirits of deceit, and the teachings of evil spirits, Through the false ways of men whose words are untrue, whose hearts are burned as with a heated iron; Who keep men from being married and from taking food which God made to be taken with praise by those who have faith and true knowledge."

Sometimes believers care too much for this present world. As Paul reported in 2 Timothy 4:10 (KJV), "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia."

Other times, they want to hear what they desire rather than the truth. In 2 Timothy 4:3 and 4 (BBE), Paul wrote, "For the time will come when they will not take the true teaching; but, moved by their desires, they will get for themselves a great number of teachers for the pleasure of hearing them; And shutting their ears to what is true, will be turned away to belief in foolish stories."

The way to prevent new believers from leaving is through constant fellowship. Hebrews 10:23-25 (BBE) shows how. "Let us keep the witness of our hope strong and unshaking, for he is true who has given his word: And let us be moving one another at all times to love and good works; Not giving up our meetings, as is the way of some, but keeping one another strong in faith; and all the more because you see the day coming near."

This subject will also be part of my next book called You Think Your Going to Heaven? People must realize that serving our Lord and Master requires work and study. Otherwise we just end up lost in this world's entertainments and trials.

On Saturday, I'll post about a Canadian band's song regarding disappointment with city life.