By definition, a disciple is a follower or student of someone and their teachings. But it goes much deeper than simply a scholastic approach. In Jesus' day, a disciple not only studied the doctrines and lessons of his teacher, but he also strove to imitate the teacher's life and adhere to the applications discovered. The disciples would often travel with their teacher and stay constantly by his side, attentively soaking up all his words and following his example by doing exactly as he did. Ideally, the best teacher, of course, was one who perfectly lived out what he taught.
As Christians, we are discipled to Christ. If we believe and love Christ, then we are commanded to adhere to His teachings. Jesus instructed his disciples that:
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (John 14.12-15)
In verse 11, Jesus tells his disciples that 'I am in the Father and the Father is in me.' If we believe, obey and imitate, then God will work through us just as He worked through Jesus. Only then can we be true disciples of Christ and be fully used as God's instruments to do His will. When Jesus left, He gave us His Spirit as a 'helper' (John 14.26) to instruct us:
These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. (1 Corinthians 2.10-12)
Here we see that God has given us all that we need to understand and learn about the commandments of Jesus. Even beyond this, God has distributed the gifts of the Spirit by His will (Hebrews 2.4). Jesus also teaches that 'whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.' We are called to exercise our gifts in obedience to Christ's commandment. When we do this, we will 'abide' in Him.
We need to be listening to the Word of God every day, hanging on every single word and soaking it up. King David writes (Psalms 119.10) about seeking God 'with my whole heart' to the purpose that he might not 'wander from your commandments.' And in Psalms 119.11, he says, "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you."
John writes a serious warning to believers in 1 John 1 and 2 about walking in darkness while claiming to have fellowship with God. John talks about a sign by which we can know if we are abiding in Christ (1 John 2.5, 6), "But whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked." We need to follow Jesus' footprints as closely as possible.
In these ways can we fulfill the call of Christ to be His disciples. Our salvation may not be on the line, but the testimony to God's love for us is. Jesus says in Matthew 3.8 to, "Bear fruit in keeping with repentance." The command is clear. How are you being a disciple of Jesus?
God bless,
~Curtis~
8 comments:
Sorry I have been away for so long, I swear I was not ignoring you lo. I have been so busy, if you want to know why read my new post. Nayway it sounds like you have been doing some great thinking since we last talked. This is great stuff Curtis!! I think a big part of being a disciple is being willing to go where he tells us and do what the Teacher says. We have to do more than talk, we have to take action.
So whats been up with you Bro?
God Bless Bro!!
Jessica
Oh, I've been up to a bit, lol. I've been learning how to break-dance and hip-hop! *grins* It's pretty wild. I recently became addicted to Barlow Girl's music! Aaaand... I'm almost done with high school! WoOt! Right now I'm on spring break, which I'm pretty sure was created by God on the seventh day. :-D
How about you? I heard about your move! How's beach-life for you? Lol.
God bless, sis!
~Curtis~
Thats awesome, I hope to learn someday too!! How are you liking it?
What is it with that band, they are so addicting. I used to not like them as much but ever since I heard their song one more round I have loved them, guess it took one song to break the ice lol. Whats your fave?
LOL lucky dog, I go to a year round school, no spring break for me, but hey I live on the beach so I guess I can't complain lol.
Beach life is awesome, I have been to the beach everyday, seen some awesome storms, collected buckets of seashells lol. It is way fun!! I'm loving it and the people are so friendly!! We have yet to meet a rude person.
God Bless Bro!!
Jessica
Oh and I forgot to say, awesome on that high school thing. Good riddance in my opinion lol. College is awesome brah!! decided where you are going yet?
Heya! I thought that I had commented back, but I guess I didn't. Lol, this was totally my bad. Sorry!
Newhos! Yes, dancing is definitely worth it! It's a great stress-reliever and it's just super-fun! I've had more people come up to me out of the blue to meet me just because they heard that I was learning how to dance. :-D
Hmmm... fav Barlow Girl song... dang, you ask the hardest questions, lol. I think I'd have to say 'I Need You To Love Me.' That song just really touched my heart and that's pretty much why I bought that cd (along with their newest one, too). Now all I have left, is to pick up their first cd! *woOT*
Right now, I'm looking at Howard Payne University. It's in Brownwood, Texas! I'm very excited about it. They're very sound theologically (which is huge for me, as you know, lol) and I've heard from many friends that Texas is almost the epitome of southern hospitality! Although, I still have no clue what I will major in, lol. I'm planning to take a year off after h/s so that I can work a little and hopefully get some ideas before I hit college.
God bless, twinny!
~Curtis~
I actually read your reply the day after you wrote it but I was up until after 11 that night doing school work and than I have been gone so sorry for not replying.
Well keep dancing Bro!!
Howard Payne University huh? cool. BIG TIP!!! only take a year off if you actually plan on enrolling or getting a job after the year. It is way to easy getting in the flow of not doing school work and having "freedom" that pretty soon you might decide 2 years and than 3, etc. Hey if you don't want to go to college, thats fine lol. No one said you had to, well unless your parents did lol. But don't slack bro (Thats me using the big sister voice lol) By the way if you can't decide what to major is, go for a 2 year associates than go for your major, that way you get the general requirement classes done.
Love ya Bro!!!!!- Jessica
Ah, well then no worries, sis. :-)
Lol, I know. My sis took a year off before she went to college, so I'll probably just follow right in her footsteps, lol. But I think I shall need a college education if I'm going to land a job that's lucrative enough to possibly support a family. *grins*
LOL, you don't NEED anything bro, you have a gift for ministering and I know I would hire you without a degree. Of course I don't have a church lol. I want to eventually take a year to travel, but at this rate it will be after college lol. You are awesome brah!!
By the way I need you to love me is an awesome song, I had never listened to it before this lol.
God Bless!
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