Heart of True Discipleship

     While walking and praying this afternoon I believe the Lord reinforced the conviction that the heart of true discipleship is when we allow another human being to minister the Word of God to us, and we receive it so the Holy Spirit can make us more like Jesus. This is encapsulated in 2 Timothy 2:2 where Paul writes to Timothy, "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." (NKJV) Why does this happen so seldom?
     Most "Christians" simply do not know the Bible well enough to minister a clear, complete instruction. They may be able to remember a phrase or an idea but could not show you where it was located. They are workmen who need to be ashamed. ( 2 Timothy 2:15) Many people do not have sufficient trust built up in a relationship with another person to accept a presentation from the Word if it disagrees with something they believe on other grounds. But the most important reality is that whatever a person may say that they believe, when it comes down to how they live their life, make decisions, form values and convictions, they do not accept the authority of the Word of God. Jesus said, "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." ( Matthew 4:4)
     I encounter the above repeatedly as i attempt to minister the Word to people in adherence to 2 Timothy 2:24 "And a servant of the Lord must... be able to teach." Granted I may not be correct in my understanding and application of the Scripture but it is a very rare occasion when anyone attempts to present a Biblical refutation to me. Usually there is an appeal to feelings or changing the subject or denial with no Biblical support.
    David writes that we are born in sin. ( Psalm 51:5) The heart of sin is rebellion against God. We want our will to prevail rather than His. This is why we are told to deny ourselves and pick up our crosses daily ( Luke 9:23) and to put to death the deeds of the body. ( Romans 8:13) "And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." ( Galatians 5:24)
    One of the most loving things that anyone can do for us to minister God's Word to our heart.