基督徒的一個基本命令是要來釋放人們脫離綑綁，事實上奴隸制度會在一個致力於自由的美國發生，是美國當時心靈和神學極大隔離的明證。然而，有些人確實看見此隔離並且傳講自由的真諦。將近一個世紀，此傳講看起來沒起太大作用；然而，這些忠心的使者是在預備地土，他們的話語是在成就他們的目的。正如我們先前所討論的，當國家夠成熟來接收此傳講時，就像火種一樣，恩膏的話語成為火光，所點燃的火無法熄滅，直到所有的『草木禾稭』燒盡，奴隸制度就被廢止了。

即使神話語是在極大的恩膏與明確下被傳講，可能也不會成就太多直到合適的情況，但這話語是協助來預備情況。那即是何以當保羅對哥林多人指出，所有神的僕人都在做他們的部分，無論他們是在撒種或是收割，我們並不真的知道誰應該得到最大的功勞。這並不重要，但我們都需要單單順服神。當大復興被點燃時，忠心的傳道者在那地區長期耕耘所結的果子，多過於一位講員剛好在那傳講信息所點燃火焰的結果。

然而，當火焰被點燃了，工作並未完成，在許多方面才剛開始而已。是什麼樣的工作呢？召聚新信徒，將他們建造在神的國度裡，這稱為『門徒訓練』。

巴納（Barna）研究團體最近所發表的研究顯示，將近有百分之六十五稱為X世代（baby busters）與多元文化世代（Mosaics）（就是那些在戰後嬰兒潮之後出生的人），認為自己委身於基督，其中卻只有百分之三擁有基督教世界觀（UnChristian, pages 74-75）。這顯示出美國的基督徒在帶領人接受主上很有果效，顯然在門徒訓練上就成效不彰了。這很可能是為何美國基督徒在世界被視為膚淺、甚至扭曲的原因了。

其他的研究報告顯示在一些基本品格議題上，例如說謊、偷竊、誠實與基本道德等，你無法區分美國基督徒與異教徒的不同。這是在我們最基本使命 ─ 大使命中失敗的明證，不僅是改變信仰，乃是使人成為門徒、教導他們遵守主所教導我們的每一件事。

帶領門徒的命令不僅是為個人，更是為著萬國。這確實是一個很崇高的命令，但主不會單給我們命令卻使我們無法達成。當屬靈的火正在美國點燃時，我們可以預期會有許多新信主的人，我們也必須留意那些已經信主很長時間，卻沒有被教導成為門徒的人。因為只要有一個罪人悔改，聖經告訴我們這會使天上歡喜，地上也當快樂。當我們為此歡喜時，我們也必須將新信主的人當作神聖的託付，正如我們不會讓一個新生兒自己養活自己一樣。

真的，聖經上的門訓必須被重建，好讓教會完成她的目的。

(摘自 喬納 word for the week, Week 37, 2009)

Discerning the Times, Part 47
Week 37, 2009

Christians have a basic mandate to set people free from bondage. The fact that slavery could exist in America, which is a nation devoted to freedom, is evidence of a great disconnect in the mind and theology of the nation at that time. However, some did see this disconnect and preached freedom for all. For nearly a century, this went on with seemingly little effect. However, these faithful messengers were preparing the ground, and their words were accomplishing their purpose. As we discussed previously, when the nation was ripe for it, like dry tinder, the anointed Word became a spark that lit a fire that could not go out until all of the “wood, hay, and stubble” had been consumed. Slavery was abolished.

Even if the Word is preached under great anointing and clarity, it may not seem to accomplish much until the conditions are right, but this Word is helping to prepare the conditions. That is why, as Paul indicated to the Corinthians, all servants are doing their part whether they sow or reap, and we do not really know who should get the most credit. This does not matter, but we all must simply be obedient. When a great revival has been ignited, it may be more the fruit of faithful preachers in that region who have labored for a long time than the result of the one preacher who happens to be giving the message when the spark ignites a flame.

However, when the flame is ignited, the work is not finished, and in many ways has only begun. What is that work? The ingathering of new believers and establishing them in the kingdom. This is called “discipleship.”

Studies recently published by the research group Barna indicate that as many as 65 percent of the population groups called “baby busters” and “Mosaics” (those born after the “baby boomers”) consider themselves to have made a commitment to Christ, and yet only 3 percent have a Christian worldview (UnChristian, pages 74-75). This reveals that American Christianity has been very effective at getting people to make decisions for Christ, but obviously not very effective at discipleship. This is likely the reason why American Christianity is viewed around the world as so shallow and even perverted.

Other studies have shown that you cannot distinguish American Christians from the heathen in basic character issues such as lying, stealing, fidelity, and basic morality. This is clear evidence of failure in our most basic commission—the Great Commission, which is to make disciples, not just converts, teaching them to observe everything that the Lord has commanded us.

This mandate to make disciples was not just for individuals but for nations. This is indeed a tall order, but the Lord does not give us orders that He does not intend to empower us to carry out. As spiritual fires are now being ignited in America, and we can expect many new converts, we must also look at those who may have been “converts” for a long time, but have not been taught or made disciples. For just one sinner to repent, we are told that this causes rejoicing in heaven and should on earth too. While rejoicing in this, we must also take this new convert as a sacred trust, just as we would not allow a newborn to try to raise itself.

True, biblical discipleship must be restored for the church to accomplish her purpose.