The disciple’s two decisions
“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Jesus instructed his disciples to make disciples. So those who call themselves Christian must become a disciple, be a disciple, and then make disciples.
Becoming and being a disciple can be reduced to just two decisions.
The first decision: follow Jesus to become a disciple. This is the initial decision, the submission of one's will to Christ's authority, signified by baptism.
The next decision: follow Jesus to be a disciple. This covers every next decision, the submission of one's will to Christ's authority, signified by obedience.
Making the first decision and carefully (though not perfectly) navigating each next decision qualifies and compels us to then make disciples.
The sillage of Christ
“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.”
Someone sits down next me on the plane and my only thought is how can I get away? What is that cologne? Was a whole bottle used? I can't breathe!
It's not at all like Miss Benson, my third grade teacher. Every time she walked by, my only thought was how nice her perfume smelled. I hoped she would pass by again!
Let our lives be a pleasant fragrance rather than an obnoxious odor. Chances are we'll be invited to come by time and time again.
Incidentally, the word sillage relates to how a smell lingers. It's a property of perfumes and colognes.
There will be trouble
“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
“Every problem in the world is a relationship problem.”
Relationships between people are hard enough. Competitiveness, greed, insecurity, and zero-sum thinking make relating a minefield.
But in an organization, so much friction is caused by competing systems. Align the systems and relationships quickly improve; wasted energy is put to productive use.
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