The truth is that for many years I walked in bondage not realizing that “it was finished” at the cross and Jesus set me free when he took my sin. It was a matter of believing and saying, “thank you Jesus for forgiving me”..by His stripes I have been healed. I can walk in freedom- not freedom to sin but free from the power of sin in my life. Sometimes, discipleship looks like going to the grave with someone, burying those sins, guilt, shame and saying no more- you are forgiven- now walk in freedom- whom the son sets free is free indeed. Darkness can no associate with light; once we come into the light and confess, darkness must flee.. where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.
When I was in India many children said “yes I will die for you Lord.” I heard God say, Marissa if you are willing to die for me then you need to be willing to live for me. Jesus isn’t just important in my life- He is my life. I joke around saying “die to self” but really isn’t that what being a Christ-follower is all about. He has bid us to come and die so we might live.
I know that we are called to “go and make disciples” ; my passion was stirred this summer for discipleship and I know that is what I am called to. My last trip to India consisted of college age girls, who, for many of them said it was the first time they were “discipled.”
Many of them had carried past sins with them and for the first time were set free from the guilt and condemnation that came with them. I saw them begin to see who they were in Christ and believe truth instead of lies.
My passion is for the church (here) to embrace accountability and discipleship; for His children to walk in freedom so they can live the abundant life they are called to. How can we go and preach the good news when we haven’t believed the good news for ourselves. He is calling us to a life of freedom so that we may go and set the prisoners free. The youth of today are waiting to see someone live out the abundant life- walk in freedom- to say Jesus is the answer and you don’t have to do it alone. It is simple, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. Who are your neighbors?
Jesus is the answer to the biblical model of discipleship.
Jesus took the disciples in, he ate with them, lodged with them, walked with them, taught them, ministered with them, loved them, encouraged them, and discipled them. I want my life and my home to be an “open-door policy” ready to serve, to love, to pour out into the lives of others. Jesus is calling His children to intimacy with Him; I am answering that call as I walk with Him and fulfill the great commission.
Now is the time to make disciples of all nations…
