Picking up on the previous post, the ultimate goal of every conversion story is to eventually be “conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 8:29). When we think of the word “conformed,” it gives the impression that there is a mold or a model.

I have been blessed to acquire many handmade pieces from my grandmother. There was a time in her life when she learned how to work with molds. After the pouring and curing process, she would hand-paint these items that have become family treasures. One of my favorite works of hers is in our nativity scene that I put out every Christmas. Although many pieces are broken and some are missing, the work she did on those molds will always be a treasure to me.

Friends, we are being pressed into a mold so that the end result of our lives is to be like the original, to be like Jesus. What a great treasure that is!

Perhaps that’s why the Apostle Paul taught, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). But change from an old nature to a new nature doesn’t just happen with a snap of the fingers. It comes from walking with one throughout their conversion story, guiding them, and helping them to see the way.

This is the example Scripture repeatedly gives us (as already noted in the previous post). Even the Apostle Paul was aided in conforming and learning about this new life, first and foremost by our Lord Jesus Christ, Himself (see Galatians 1:12; read Vs. 11- 24 for Paul’s testimony of this time).

People left to their own devices, unaided, are susceptible to lies, discouragement, doubt, and being uprooted from the very conviction that caused them to seek conversion in the first place.

Therefore, those who are already members of the body of Christ want to make sure this new member has the tools and support not only to hang on, but to grow and see their lives through the eyes of the Lord.

For when they see their value according to Him, they will fight all the more (and yes, sometimes it is a fight) to daily shed off the old nature from where they came and put on the new nature of who they are now, and where they are going.

Most infants and toddlers don’t begin to take their first steps in learning to walk without holding on to something. Often, what they are holding on to is the loving hands of a parent who is guiding them, caring for them, and supporting them so they do not fall.

How much more support does a new believer need who is trying to walk in a whole new life than the one they came from?

I’m not negating the need for personal holiness or the work that needs to be done for this mindset change (see Ephesians 4:22-24; Matthew 18:3; 1 John 1:6; Colossians 3:9, 10). But people do not know how to do new things without being taught, without examples. One of the reasons YouTube is so popular is that if you are trying to do something new, fix something, or the like, you can almost always find a video on their platform that will walk you through how to do what you are seeking, step-by-step.

Discipleship is God’s answer to the lives that want to change but don’t know how. It is the place where they get one-on-one help, the place where they can see examples of what it means to be in a thriving, loving relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

People cannot go from conversion to change to commitment without knowing how to get from point A to C (see chart below).

There is a lot of space in between, open to all kinds of stuff. What that space is filled with will be determined by what is being poured into the person. Again, this does not negate personal holiness or responsibility, but how much better would the turnout be with proper guidance and exposure to the right things to fill that space?

Every believer has this commission on their lives: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:19-20; emphasis added).

Discipleship is not just witnessing; it is teaching people how to live the Christian life, how to recognize and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit as He leads them.

Jesus felt we were worth it and had people who invested in us. Now, may we see the worth in others and invest as well.

The Bible calls us the “salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13), and it’s time to share the flavor.

Blessings~