If you’re not willing to make loving God and loving people your highest priority, then stop.
Seriously, walk away until you’ve settled this one essential point.
Lack of love is the unmistakable mark of death: “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death” (1 John 3:14).
Making disciples isn’t about gathering pupils to listen to your teaching. The real focus is not on teaching people at all but rather on loving them. Jesus’ call to make disciples does include teaching people to be obedient followers of Jesus, but the teaching isn’t the end goal.
Ultimately, it’s all about being faithful to God’s call to love the people around you. It’s about loving those people enough to help them see their need to love and obey God. It’s about bringing them to the Savior and allowing Him to set them free from the power of sin and death and transform them into loving followers of Jesus Christ. It’s about glorifying God by obediently making disciples who will teach others to love and obey God.
So the question is, how much do you care about the people around you? When you stand in a crowd, interact with your family or talk to people in your church, do you love them and long to see them glorify God in every aspect of their lives? Honestly assessing your heart and asking God to purify your motives need to become habits in your life.
Would you say that your desire to make disciples has been motivated by love? Why or why not?
Take some time to consider your existing relationships—family, friends, staff, neighbors, etc.
The way you think about and interact with the people God has placed in your life can tell you a lot about your heart. Think about your relationships and ask yourself how well you love those around you. Assessing your current relationships will help you be able to identify areas you need to work on and improve.
Describe your love for the people God has placed in your life. What evidence can you point to that shows that you love the people around you?
In addition to praying fervently, what practical steps can you take to increase your love for people?
