In the world of business the acronym R&D is widely used to describe a company’s research and development area. The R&D department’s goal is to do research that generates an appropriate outcome which in turn results in the development of new products, new services, new inventions, new lines, etc. R&D attempts to provide for the future success of the business. Companies devote and expend significant resources, effort and time to this component if they wish to remain viable entities.
I think that the body of Christ (the church) should have and focus upon R&D as well. I also believe that this is a component of the body of Christ that has deep foundations in biblical truth that we have strayed away from with our ‘modern’ forms of Christianity.
The difference between the world’s R&D and the body of Christ’s R&D is that instead of ‘Research and Development’ the body of Christ must have a ‘Reach and Discipleship’ component. And the body of Christ should focus upon and expend significant resources, effort and time on both the R and the D – not just one or the other!
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations… (Matthew 28:19)
REACH: Go; preach the gospel to all creation, spread God’s Word, make known the wonders of the One who saved us and give Him all of the glory, testify to His loving-kindness, His grace and His mercy - for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son
DISCIPLESHIP: make disciples, know, understand and live in His Truth, build up, encourage, exhort, rebuke in His Word, equip the saints for the work of ministry - for His Word is Truth and in it you will find Knowledge and Wisdom and Righteousness and Power and Life
And we are all called to participate in the Lord’s R&D department...
If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8:31-32)
The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem… (Acts 6:7)
After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples…
(Acts 14:21)
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