Isaiah 2:3 Many peoples will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths.”

This is, of course, a promise of harvest in the kingdom of God, of salvation for many, regardless of ethnicity. As such, it is justly celebrated and put to music. However, it is also significant to notice the commitment of those who are coming into the kingdom. It is a commitment to learn of and from God. Not only that, it is followed up with the intention to be obedient to what they are taught. This is the commitment to discipleship. Of course, this is in perfect agreement with the Great Commission, in which Jesus tells us to make disciples of all nations, teaching them to do what God has taught us. Too often evangelism is seen as getting people to agree to a set of facts, and then perhaps to be baptized and join a church. The Bible is clear that the process isn’t complete without true discipleship. Failure to seek to make disciples for Christ indicates that we aren’t obedient disciples ourselves!

I have been dedicated to this process for many years now, but I still find myself falling short in training disciples. Too many times I have been guilty of “dunking and dumping,” baptizing people with­out genuine repentance and a commitment to discipleship, and I will have to answer to God for that. Thankfully, the cross of Christ is sufficient for such failures as that, as it is for all sin, but I’ve got to walk in the awareness that it is disobedience toward God, and such disobedience is indeed sin. I am not to accept personal guilt for those who decline to move on in discipleship, but I must be faithful in urging them to grow and in providing opportunities for instruction and training. Disciple making can be hard work, but I must not draw back.

Father, I think I honestly desire that all the believers be true disciples, and I know I rejoice when they grow in that direction, yet I feel I don’t do a very good job at training them. I ask for wisdom and anointing, as well as strength and persistence, so that we may all be the disciples You desire and intend us to be, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!