Colossians 1:28-29 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

This is a perfect description of our theme, Training Disciples. The activities of proclaiming, warning, and teaching are mentioned, along with the goal of presenting everyone mature in Christ, and then Paul goes on to say that it is Christ’s power, working through us, that accomplishes all this. I certainly couldn’t say it better myself! I have spent over 50 years of my life doing exactly this, and I’m grateful for the privilege. The thing is, this opportunity is presented to every believer. Of course, we ourselves have to mature, to become better disciples, but there’s always someone near us who is a step behind us, so we can teach them what we have learned, however little it might be. Frank Laubach had a marvelous ministry of overcoming illiteracy, and his motto was “Each one teach one.” He started in the American South, and went on to have a major impact in Africa as well. The task can seem daunting indeed, so we’ve got to remember that it’s God’s wisdom and strength that get the job done. When we try to do it on our own, not only do we fail, we burn out in a hurry. At the same time, we’ve got to keep remembering the goal of mature disciples of Jesus Christ. That means that we ourselves have got to keep moving toward that goal of maturity. There are far too many immature Christians running around! Verbally, we are to proclaim, warn, and teach, but our example must demonstrate what we are talking about. Personal integrity is essential. The Japanese expression for that, genkoh itchi, means literally, “unity of word and action.” That is the exact opposite of hypocrisy, and should be a hallmark of our lives and ministry.

I too am on the road to maturity, just as Paul was. I too need to be “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:13-14) Sometimes I am amazed that God chooses to use me, considering my stupid pride, but that’s the kind of God He is. Just yesterday my wife and I visited a woman who is dying of cancer, and we were able to demonstrate God’s love to her, to the amazement of her sister who is caring for her. My prayer is that before she passes, she will cry out to the Christ she has heard about from us, and so gain eternal life while there is still opportunity. She won’t have much time to mature as a disciple, but I definitely hope to see her on the other side. Of course, I also have my interactions with everyone else. God gave me a message on Joints yesterday to share on Sunday, and I need to be practicing it myself. I have countless interactions every day, and in every one I need to have the goal of presenting people mature in Christ, whether they have been believers for many years or perhaps don’t know Jesus at all. I can’t do it, but God can, even using me.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for all You are doing in and through us these days. May I be fully sensitive, yielded, and obedient, so that all of Your purposes may be accomplished on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!