DISCIPLESHIP AND RELATIONSHIP

DISCIPLESHIP and RELATIONSHIP

 

We are told by Jesus to "go into all the world and make disciples" (Matt 28:18-20), and not just converts or "church members"! Jesus expects us to have a relationship with the Father like He had, because as followers of His, we are "heirs and joint-heirs" with Him! (Rom 8:17) and (John 17:22-26)

So to be a "disciple" or follower of Jesus, we must develop a "relationship" with our heavenly Father. This starts with (John 8:31-32, 35-36) "You are truly my disciples IF you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free"!! Some people try to help God out with His Kingdom business without His approval. (Matt 7:21-23). Notice the word "iniquity" which means "without rules", or in disobedience or in other words ministry without relationship!

 

Paul uses an interesting term to describe the coming Antichrist in his second letter to the Thessalonians. (2 Thess 2:1-4). The term is "lawlessness", meaning a state of being completely without any law or order in our life. When this man comes on the scene at some time in the future he will actually be Satan "incarnate", to be a counterfeit of what Jesus was while in His human body. This will be Satan's final attempt to be "like the Almighty God". See his 5 statements of ambition as recorded in (Isa 14:12-23) which was the reason God cast him out of heaven. Lucifer never lost his ambition, and still thought he could become like God, see (Dan 9:27) for details of his making a "covenant of peace" with Israel for 7 years, but will break it at the mid-point. This is one of the main points of interest in the last 7 years period of life, as we have known it on our planet. This final 7 years is referred to as

"Daniel's Seventieth Week" and Jesus gave his disciples a description of what will happen on earth during that time in Matthew chapter 24.

 

So just in case we are still living during that time, it is critically important that we establish a "relationship" with the father now, by receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior. When we do that, and become His "disciple", the Father then "adopts" us into His Forever Family, and we then have "Eternal Life" which starts here on earth and extends for ever and ever! This is why the Gospel of the Kingdom is called the "Good News" that everyone on earth needs to hear and receive personally. Have you done that yet?

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer                                                                                    17/04/12