Jesus says “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” Matthew 28:19
I would like to clarify my last blog and build on it. Sometimes I can say things without explaining them well, and they can be misunderstood. Ben and Chuck asked about being born again and asked how long does this process takes. I am learning more and more that I do not have all the answers. When Nicodemus comes to Jesus all he has is questions. Now Nicodemus was one of the most educated Jewish teachers of his time and he still asked Jesus questions showing that he was open to Jesus’ message of good news and was teachable. His heart was open! This is how we should always approach God.
Jesus tells us to make disciples not converts. We need to bring people into the family of God and let them grow and teach them. We need to empower them and get them baptized in the Spirit. We cannot evangelize without follow up. If we don’t the parable of the sower tells us that troubles and the cares of this world can strangle the life out of people who have heard the word. There is no life apart from the body of Christ – the true church. You cannot be a lone ranger Christian. You WILL fall.
How long does it take to become a Christian?
I don’t know, but I do know a lot of people who have said they were Christians and then went back to a bad lifestyle. I know a lot of hypocrites in the church. They say they have been born again and go out on Friday nights to the club get drunk and do all sorts of stuff. I know a lot of people who say they are Christians and are mean people too. So what do you think the world thinks of this? They think that Christians are fake, and for some people that is true.
The life of a true follower has the following signs – they love people. They are bold. They do good to people. They are selfless. This is a person who has experienced the love of God and is learning to cast their cares on him.
I don’t want to answer the question above because I will only be teaching a formula and God is so much bigger than any formula that I can give. A better question is Are you living for God? Have you accepted his son Jesus Christ and falling more in love with him every day. Are you a part of his body? If you are you have found true life like this then arguing about semantics and phrases really loses its meaning, at least it has for me.
I love Jesus Christ and hope you too have found the joy in Him. Only he can set you free from the pain, anxiety, and regret in your life. Jesus said he came to give us life in abundance and I am proof of that although sometimes a poor reflection. My job is only to point the direction to Him.
Follow in Jesus footsteps and you will find true life.
