​What does someone mean when they say “cold to God?” Many people who say this are expressing the fact that they think they aren’t where they think they should be in their relationship with God. That can be true. Sometimes we allow ourselves to be distracted and we don’t spend as much time with God as we would like. We should enjoy great times with God in fellowship, Bible reading, Bible study, prayer, and praise. When we are unable to do that we may feel distant to God. That is a feeling not reality as God is always close to us. But that is a topic for another day.
The leader of the Men’s prayer group of a church told a young man that I am discipling the other day that he (the young man) was “cold” towards God. The reality is that this young man who has been in discipleship for 4 months has seen his life remarkably transformed. He is learning the Word and applying the Word to His life. He is eager to know more and more about God. He was shocked and concerned to be told that he was “cold.” As I talked with my disciple I found out that he didn’t pray as long or as “well” as the other men in the group. And when the leader spoke to him about this the leader assumed it was because the young disciple was “cold.” There are so many things I could talk about from this incident. 1. We should be careful who we place as leaders in groups. Just because someone has credentials because of a diploma or a class doesn’t mean they need to be leading people. 2. Leaders have influence and can do harm as well as good. 3. Some churches need discipleship programs than more activities like prayer groups, fellowships, etc. We need those things. But churches need to be discipling people. The church where this happened doesn’t have a discipleship program. They have a weekly class that teaches by lecture the Bible. This is good but there is no one doing discipleship in the church. That is why I have to do it by phone/internet.
But what I really want to say is this. I think this “leader” described him as “cold” because he didn’t do things the way the leader did. That happens often in churches. People think that because others don’t pray the way they do or worship in a similar manner then that person isn’t close to God. Leaders need to know people and understand where they are spiritually. They need to be ready to exhort and teach. But don’t assume that your way is the right way or only way and that someone who is different is “cold” to God.
And please be careful who you put in charge of groups and ministries. It would be better to not have a particular ministry than have to put an unqualified person in charge of it.

​In the Great Commission found in Matthew 28 there is an often over looked Truth. In V20 we are told to teach disciples to obey or observe all that Jesus has commanded. Usually this is understood to mean that we tell people to obey God and then we tell them the things that they are to do and not do. It certainly is good advice to tell people to obey God and it might be helpful to tell the new believers some things that he needs to do like read the word, pray, etc. But the verb teach in in the New Testament can have 2 slightly different meanings because there are 2 Greek words that are usually translated into English and Spanish as teach. One verb form is to inform. This is the meaning often thought of in v20. We interpret this as we should inform people to obey God and then inform them what they are to obey. However, the meaning in this verse is to instruct, to train, and to explain.
New believers need more than a list of rules and regulations or a list of things to do and not do. Discipleship is not a religion of God but a relationship with God. People need to learn the nature of God and understand Him, His Word, and His ways. The giving of information is but 1 aspect of teaching. Instruction with training is another and very important aspect of teaching. Being a disciple of Jesus involves more than having information. A disciple will have information and understanding because he has been instructed and trained.
Information or knowledge needs to be followed by understanding of that knowledge. When that happens the person will be able to gain Wisdom. The parable of the sower as told in Matthew makes this point in a powerful way. Matthew 13:19 (NASB)
19  "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.
Helping someone understand can be hard work. Often it involves more than just informing. Making disciples of Jesus isn’t always easy. But those with understanding and wisdom will serve Him a lifetime and walk in victory.