Your
salvation was only one part of the Christian’s walk – from here on out your
relationship with the Lord will blossom into something beautiful you never
could have imaged. But, just as a beautiful plant needs to be cultivated,
pruned, watered, fertilized and given sunlight, you also need to be discipled.
As you have been accepted into the family of God, He is going to train and
change you – basically make you His disciple. This process is often painful but
always rewarding. It will train you in the way of our mutual Father.
You have
probably already heard the word “disciple” a few times. Let’s start by defining
what that word actually means.
Disciple n. follower; pupil (Webster’s World
Dictionary)
Here are
some quotes by some respectable Christian men that may expand the meaning for
you.
“Disciples
are people who believe, those whose faith motivates them to obey all Jesus
commanded.” J. MacArthur
“Discipleship
is something continuous, it is a way of life. A true disciple has an affinity for
his teacher’s instruction and accepts it, not blindly but intelligently. The
teacher’s instruction becomes the disciple’s rule of faith and practice.” F.F.
Bruce
A disciple
is a person who learns the way of life from his or her Master, the Lord Jesus
Christ. As a disciple, you are to be discipled. You must be taught how to
establish an intimate relationship with God and learn how to trust and obey
Him. Normally, a new believer is discipled by someone who is wiser in the
faith. This could be a friend, an elder, a pastor. . .or whoever! Just someone
who will sit down with you and teach you what it means to walk with the Lord.
Don’t get
confused. The goal of this discipleship is not to make you a prestigious
“do-gooder.” It is not so you get a good job in the church. The goal of this is
to bring glory to God by becoming more
and more like Jesus Christ.
Jesus
Christ, during His ministry on the earth, had disciples. They were twelve men
that He hand-picked to train. They had all different backgrounds but joined
together in following Jesus. These guys went everywhere with Him! They watched
Him perform miracles, heard Him teach many times, prayed with Him and built a
strong relationship with Him. The twelve disciples learned to love and trust
the Lord. On top of that, Jesus trained them to continue His ministry when He
left. And they did! Jesus’ disciples became the starting point for the
evangelism of the world!
You can be
discipled in the same way! You do not have Jesus physically here with you -
that’s why you have the Bible. You can be discipled by Jesus just by reading
the letter that He has written for His children.
This
probably seems like an impossible task. Becoming
like Jesus?! I’m still trying to take care of my sin!! No worries, the Spirit of God does this in us. It doesn't come from our own strength.
"Then Jesus
said to those Jews who believed in Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are my
disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you
free.” John 8:31-32
As
disciples, if we are seeking the truth found in God’s word, we will be set
free. Everyone around you is searching. Searching for reality, purpose and
truth. All the while, they are enslaved by their sin. God’s word sets us free
from this. As His disciples, we have intrinsic value and meaning. We are free
from sin! Free from the endless search for purpose!
“A new
commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you,
you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my
disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
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