Title: Discipleship!

 Philippians 4:9 (NIV) 

“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”  

Devotion:

Several years ago, I observed that one of my sons deeply admired me to the extent that he mimicked nearly everything I did—my manner of speaking, walking, ministering in church, and more. I am grateful to God that what he saw me doing were godly acts, not sinful behaviors like stealing, drinking, or other harmful ways. Today, he proclaims God’s word effortlessly and strives to live fully for Christ.

  Similarly, Apostle Paul, during his ministry with the Philippians before his Roman confinement, confidently encouraged them to follow his example. His Christ-centered life allowed him to urge the brethren in Philippi to imitate him, which essentially meant imitating Christ.

  In Antioch, believers who modeled their lives after Christ were recognized and called “Christians” (little Christs). Moreover, Apostle James emphasized the importance of not only hearing the word but living it out, as seen in James 1:22-24.

  As children of God, we are called to be well-grounded in Scripture and to let our lives embody its teachings. We must always remember that the world is watching us, eager to witness us practicing what we preach. This commitment to following Christ’s example and passing it on to others lies at the heart of our calling: the great commission.

  In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus says “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

  May those who preach and teach truly embody the message they share. May God grant us grace in Jesus’ name. Amen.  

©Dr. Joel Olanrewaju  

Feel free to contact me at gbemide09@gmail.com and share this devotional with others. Shalom.