How to Choose Christ DailySample

Why We Must Stand Strong

Why is discipleship so important in the New Testament?

I believe a significant focus of Jesus’ ministry was discipleship because the very issues we encounter today were also prevalent two thousand years ago. They, too, contended with false prophets, leaders who did not preach the full truth, rigorous political cultures, persecution within and outside the church, sexual immorality, and witchcraft and divination. As the scripture says, “There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

Church tradition tells us that all disciples except John the Beloved died horrendous deaths. Their ability to lay down their lives stemmed from having “died” long before their actual deaths. They spent three years journeying with Jesus, learning the essence of discipleship—where discipleship thrives, deconstruction does not. They also learned to lay down their lives daily, not just in a one-time altar call at a local church. You see, dying daily is a practice you live out each day, and the only way to become good at dying daily is to continue this practice daily.

Why are believers turning away from the faith?

I wholeheartedly believe that those I know who have left the faith, and perhaps those you know too, were just a few conversations away from salvaging their shipwrecked faith. Those who walked away bitter, feeling justified or being justified in their hurt, might have had a different outcome had they understood the broader narrative of God. I believe the days ahead will paint this picture and illustrate the hardships and pains associated with a life devoted to Christ.

We must acknowledge that just as God has a narrative and agenda for your life, so does the devil. The devil is cunning and deceitful and has studied humanity for thousands of years. His tactics remain the same as they were at the beginning of time, always questioning, “Did God really say…?” (Gen. 3:1, NIV). Do you not think he knows how to lead people astray? He even believed he could lead Jesus astray in the desert of temptation.

While I don’t want to merely spiritualize the real pain we experience, I must acknowledge the existence of a spiritual realm. There is a battle for our souls between light and darkness. Doubts, if unaddressed, can lead us to turn away from Christ. Although I believe nothing can pluck us from God’s hand, we have the free will to walk away if we choose.

Many from my teenage years who got saved with me sadly no longer follow Jesus. Our enduring trials, hardships, and disagreements were probably similar. What distinguishes those who have remained faithful from those who have fallen away is likely simpler than we think. Over the next several days, I will list three safeguards that can help you continue following Jesus until the end of your days and offer hope that the solution to your crisis is not deconstruction but discipleship.