David wrote something in Psalm 51:10-13 that is the essential requirement of all those who desire to see unbelievers become committed followers of Jesus Christ. He wrote:

10 Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires. 11 Don't toss me aside, banished forever from your presence. Don't take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. 13 Then I will teach your ways to other sinners, and they—guilty like me—will repent and return to you.
(Living Bible)

The prerequisite for evangelism and making disciples is this: I must first be sure my life demonstrates my commitment to following Jesus before I will effectively disciple another. In other words...making committed disciples requires that I be a committed disciple. Two principles to take notice:
1) God is more concerned with our relationship with Him than any evangelistic or discipleship ministry we might be involved in. Jesus tells His disciples - “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
2) We need to be able to say with the Apostle Paul: “Brothers, join in following my example, and look for those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.” (Philippians 3:17) Paul was talking about following the pattern he set in his own discipleship. How can we think we can be instrumental in seeing unbelievers become committed followers of Christ when we ourselves are not committed disciples? This is especially true for parents desiring to raise Godly children.

Parents...sit up and take notice - you will not be able to lead your children to become committed followers of Christ if you yourself are not one. You must not only be a “pattern,” but more importantly, your life must be an open book to Christ. In other words...your life must be an open book to Christ before you can be an open book of Christ to others. My prayer for you and me this day is this...Lord, teach us about “first things first.” May we seek Your face throughout our days so that we can fulfill the purpose You've given to each of us (Matthew 28:19-20). Amen.


Walk with the King today and be a blessing.