True Christians have God’s loving vision in their mind and attitude, and The Wonderfully Weird Command, Make Disciples, turns it into reality. Speaking with Christians, they would say they understand The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19, “Therefore go and make disciples . . ..” Some would say making disciples is about specific views in life. Others would say it’s about building life traits, and others would say it’s done by working hard. All would be right; however, all would be wrong if they never brought together the aspects of the triune God. Therefore, baptizing people in the beliefs and actions of God makes disciples of Christ.
All genuine Christians aim to become Christ-like, which is why we are called “Christians.” Becoming a well-rounded Christ-follower requires a loving perspective, good character, and excellent performance. First, a loving view of life. God’s perspective is a loving attitude towards people and life and is “very good” (Genesis 1:31), and to be baptized in the name of the Father means your ultimate belief is aligned with God’s attitude about it. Hence, the teachings of Christ engineer a loving attitude with the “Beatitudes (Matthew 5:10-12).” This allows Christians to have and keep God's vision of Love anchored in their reality.
Once a loving perspective is in place, the next thing to do is build good character. The only acceptable way to develop good character traits is by redeeming them through God’s son’s teachings. I’ve identified character principles that develop christ-like traits as The Wonderfully Weird Commands of Christ seen and taught in the Bible. Learning, practicing, and applying these teachings cultivates a person’s good character habits to express Christ’s virtues and character. Nothing else or anyone else’s teachings will do. God’s Loving vision aligned with a Christ-like character must be practiced and applied for this reality to happen (John 14:21). This is what it means to be genuinely baptized with the beliefs and actions of good character in the name of God’s Son, Jesus.
The last aspect of making disciples is an excellent performance. Performance or outcome for the Christian happens when the Father’s loving perspective and Son’s good character function well in a person’s existence. God’s Spirit is energized by gaining and growing in divine wisdom through heavenly beliefs and good actions, where God’s Advocate or Spirt comes into the picture, and God’s image is expressed through “Excellent” behavior. Jesus said, But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you (John 16:7, NIV). Thus, believing and keeping in step with God’s principles of love and good character results in a “very good” life.
Our command today is the understanding any person needs to turn their dreams into a good reality. A very good life that expresses the image of God to a lost and dying world that increases goodness for all. Today, I encourage everyone to believe and take action by deciding to live appropriately with the Father, Son, and Spirit to turn their dreams into reality by obeying and honoring the command, Make Disciples.
With love and good effort,