Monthly Devotion - July 2026
WALKING BY FAITH IN THE TASK OF DISCIPLESHIP
" For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: `The righteous will live by faith.”’ (Romans 1:17 NIV)
During the recent 33rd-anniversary celebration of the Indonesian Mission
Church in Frankfurt on June 14, 2026, the topic of “Being a church
of hope” (based on Romans 15:13) was highlighted. Beyond being a
church of hope, as the righteous, we must also become successful disciples
of Christ who are willing to carry out the task of discipleship (Matthew
28:19-20). The key to successful discipleship is living with increasing
faith—faith that arises from hearing the word of Christ (Romans 10:17).
True discipleship is not achieved through one's own strength. What does
it mean to walk by faith while living as a disciple of Christ and carrying
out the task of discipleship?
Walking by faith in the task of discipleship means journeying alongside
others toward the Lord Jesus with our eyes fixed on the Lord, rather than
on other things. Romans 1:17 provides the foundation: “...the just
shall live by faith.” Discipleship without faith leads to weariness,
disappointment, and eventually burnout. Why? Because if we engage in discipleship
without faith, we feel the burden that “we are the ones who must
change them.”
Therefore, walking by faith in the task of discipleship means, first,
believing in Who is actually at work (1 Corinthians 3:6-7 – “I
planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he
who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase”).
Our task is to “plant” and “water”—meaning we
must work faithfully in discipleship through prayer, teaching, and setting
an example through our lives. God’s task is to change the heart.
If the disciple we serve is stubborn or obstinate, it does not mean we
have failed; it simply means our task is not yet finished. Our task is
fulfilled when we remain faithful. Second, we must believe in the power
of the Gospel (Romans 1:16). Each of us has received Christ’s Great
Commission to carry out the work of discipleship. We must be willing to
be discipled and, in turn, disciple others. We do not need to be skilled
debaters, witty, or charismatic. All we bring is the Lord Jesus as the
Redeemer of sin, His living Word, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
These three elements constitute the "most powerful weapons"
for carrying out the task of discipleship (Hebrews 4:12). Third, we must
trust in the process God is working out (Galatians 6:9). During the three
years the Lord Jesus carried out His discipleship ministry, there were
those among His followers who denied Him, those who doubted, and even
one who betrayed Him; yet, the Lord Jesus remained faithful. To have faith
means continuing to water the seed even before seeing a sprout, and remaining
patient even when the people we serve stumble and fall. Fourth, we must
also trust in God’s presence with us (Matthew 28:19-20). He will
be with each of us who obeys His Great Commission until the end of the
age. He does not demand that we be perfect first; rather, He accompanies
those of us who are willing to obey His Great Commission.
In the coming months, some of us may be planning a vacation to a particular
destination or a trip to Indonesia. Often, people focus on things that
bring personal pleasure and schedule activities that delight their own
hearts. Let us remember what the Lord desires from us, His disciples.
He longs for us to go and make disciples of all nations, and to be witnesses
of the living God wherever we are in these end times. May the Lord Jesus
bless us all. Amen!
By Pastor Silwanus Obadja M.Th.
...Monthly
Devotion - June 2026