In the Lord’s last recorded prayer before He was crucified, He asked the Father for one of the greatest benefits of all for His disciples: "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17). To be sanctified in truth is more than just believing it; it is being changed by it.

       How is it that we can hear His truth and be changed so little? One reason is because we have been making converts instead of disciples, as we are commanded in the Great Commission. When we read all that Jesus said His disciples would be, we will likely think we have never met a disciple. This is about to change. The Great Commission to “make disciples” will be fulfilled.

       The word disciple means “student,” but not just any student—an especially “disciplined” one. We are told in 1 Peter 4:17, “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God.” This judgment is not destruction or condemnation, but it is discipline for those He loves. His judgment is going to bring the discipline that brings real change from His truth. This discipline will result in hearts that cherish the truth with a passionate devotion to obey the King, “teaching them to observe everything He commanded.”

       The change coming to Christians who become true disciples will make it seem like Jesus is walking the earth again. In fact, He will be—in His people. The world is about to witness a “new breed” of Christian that is a manifestation of the new creation He called us all to be.

       A disciple is driven by a love for their Master that compels them to become like Him. There is nothing in this world more contagious than a person who loves God and is getting closer to Him. This life and focus that so lifts Him up will draw all men. All Christians are called to be such disciples, but very few are. Why?

       The biggest reason is likely because it has so rarely been taught or preached, even though this is the Great Commission that He gave to His followers. Instead, it is wrongly assumed that all believers are disciples, but this is clearly not so when so few have measured up to the Lord’s definition of a disciple. So, what is the remedy to this issue that it is so crucial if we are to obey the Lord’s commission? We must study it, teach it, and resolve to live it.

       The life of a genuine disciple is a radical and severe focus on the Lord to learn of Him, to become like Him, and to do the works that He did. God’s discipline is likewise severe for those who would walk in this highest calling, not because of His rejection or displeasure, but because He loves us and wants us to become the best we can be. We call it “tough love,” but all true love is tough, caring that we attain our highest purpose. To walk in our highest purpose requires the highest discipline.

       It was written that Solomon complained to his father, King David, because he could not get away with the things his brothers and sisters could. David’s reply was that they were not called to be the king. Likewise, the higher the calling we have, the more severe His discipline will be in our life.

       The closer we get to the Lord, the less we can get away with knowing His truth but not obeying it. Lukewarm Christians are the most pitiful people on earth. This is because the fruit of struggling to live on the fence is so bad. Such people only frustrate themselves and everyone else. When His grace of repentance comes so that we are convicted of our transgressions, or our slothfulness in the service of the King, do not ignore it! Embrace it as evidence of the great honor of being called into the service of the King of kings, and that He has not yet given up on us.

       Every Christian is called to the ministry, and we are all called to be in ministry full time, whether we have a job or profession or not. If we have a secular job or profession, it is part of the ministry to which we’re called. Everything that we do is supposed to be done as unto the Lord, with the heart and devotion that all service to Him deserves.

       And we must not forget that He counts what is done for even the least of His little ones as being done for Him. Those who live in this reality do not need revival. These are the ones whose lives are so full that they spread revival everywhere they go. How can those who live in the truth that God lives in them fail to be the most alive people on earth?

       We may think that this is unnatural, but we’re not called to be natural. We’re called to be supernatural, living beyond the confines of this present world and our own natural abilities. Every Christian who has been given the Holy Spirit has the One who created the universe living in them! A disciple’s life should be a testimony of this great power. Soon, there will be a great company to emerge with whom this will be so. Why not be one of them? What could we possibly have to do that is more important than this?

 

© 2026 Rick Joyner. All Rights Reserved.