Sometime last year I had one of those “Aha!” moments. You see my stomach is sensitive to having a lot of dairy products at one time. And therefore in order to avoid the pain and discomfort I tend to avoid it when I can. Embracing a lifestyle then that is somewhat dairy-free (thank God for Lactaid pills!) is something that I’ve just…done. However, I had no idea that such a diet (or lack thereof) would have pretty scary outcomes.

A visit to the Dr.’s I had about a year ago revealed something. That I was extremely low on my Vitamin D. Apparently healthy levels are 32-100, mine was at 6. Yup, a 6! Therefore, as I embraced such a diet, I was warned to constantly look holistically at my health. Such a diet may be considered, however, only if I’m taking precaution before something dangerous happens.

There is a similar analogy needed for those committed to the great commission – to make disciples of Jesus. Embracing such a lifestyle is worthy of the gospel however it too needs to be considered with precaution – precaution which the Scriptures already give us.

When writing his second letter to his boy Timothy, Paul said that along with making disciples (“entrust to faithful men who will teach others also”), to make sure that you are “strengthened by grace that is in Christ” and “share in the sufferings as a good soldier of Christ” (2 Timothy 2:1-3, The Bible). He never gave the commission to make disciples alone. There is reason here. Embarking on the task to make disciples, Christians will be the target of attack from the enemy. And if the individual is not strong in her inner spirit and willing to face the challenges associated with the task – confusion, chaos, and utter weakness is certainly lurking. This is why Paul urged Timothy to make sure that along with making disciples, He commissions him to stay strong and be ready to share! I can hear him clearly, “Timothy you stand strong in your inner man being strengthened by the free gift of acceptance you have from the Father because of Jesus His Son. Out of the overflow of this you start entrusting this truth to others, who will do it to the next generation, and they will do it to the next, so on and so forth. But you remember that opposition will come, and when it does, out of your strength from Him you share in the sufferings and focus as a soldier!”

Timothy had no need to worry. He knew that ultimately victory was his in Jesus. He was aware of verses in the Bible that said that the enemy can only attack when give permission by God (Job 1-2). He knew of Paul’s teaching that said He causes everything – including the broken evil found in this world, including those that are in you! – for the good to those who love God (Rom 8:28). Therefore knowing that no harm can touch him that wouldn’t make him stronger, he was strengthened for the mission.

Because of the gospel, therefore let us be strengthened by grace. Out of implications of the gospel, let us entrust to faithful men and women, always being aware that there will be coming opposition against us. But because God has salvation in mind for you, our stumbling blocks will be our stepping stones to Him!