Starting is easy, but finishing well is hard (2 Timothy 4:7-8).  Jesus commanded the apostles to make disciples wherever they went (Matthew 28:19).  After Pentecost, that was their desire.  Impelled by the Holy Spirit, they were so vibrant in their gospel witness that they could not stop talking about Jesus (Acts 4:20).  As time went on and churches were formed, this last part of the Commission would be essential – for them to teach the new disciples what Jesus taught them … as the Holy Spirit reminded them and explained the meaning of what Jesus said (John 14:25-26).
 
Many new believers are rightly excited to know that they are loved and forgiven children of the Living God (John 1:12; 1 John 3:1).  But the pressures of everyday life bring another new reality: that the believer still has sinful desires and sinful reactions (Romans 7:19).  Indeed, many new Christians are surprised by how easily they fail their Lord, some assuming that they may not be real Christians.  Even the lies of Satan seem even more attractive, and the Holy Spirit increases our awareness of sin.  So, we need to be taught how to live a new kind of life, one which pleases Jesus; and to practise obeying what we are taught (Ephesians 5:10).  Without a steady intake of Bible truth, believers become spiritually malnourished and at risk from every deception that comes along.
 
The other great danger to spiritual health is to assume that we must do the 'Jesus-life' by self-determination and discipline alone.  That has a little truth, but also much error.  Yes, we need to follow the apostles' teaching and learn to discipline ourselves to please the Lord; but we cannot live His life authentically by willpower.  We need His Spirit to motivate and empower us.  The Lord Jesus does not want us to pretend to live His life, without Him being intimately involved with us, because He has promised to make His home in us (John 14:23).  

The objective teaching, of what will please God, needs to go hand in hand with the subjective awareness that He is with us always.  His presence is not restricted to the first time we encountered Him.  He goes with us wherever we go, because He is in us all the time.  So, if the world, flesh and devil are dragging you down, ask the Lord to lift you up.  If His enemies tell you lies, let Him tell you truth.  If you are a spiritual leader in your home, church or community – make sure you keep receiving His truth, as you walk with the Lord through every circumstance … and then you will be able to teach others well (1 Timothy 4:15-16).