TRUE DISCIPLESHIP

“So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him,
If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings
and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth,
and the Truth will set you free."
John 8:31-32
(Amplified Bible)

Are you a true follower of Christ? Jesus said that a true disciple holds fast to His teachings AND lives in accordance with them. There are many people today that profess to be Christians. However, many are not living life styles that are in alignment with the words of Christ. As disciples we must live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God, just as Jesus did. He did nothing in and of Himself, but only what the Father told Him to say and do.
What does it mean to be a true disciple? Simply put, true discipleship is living in obedience to the word of God. Jesus said ‘if you love Me, keep my commandments’. In John 15:14, he says ‘we are His friends, if we obey whatsoever He commands us.’ Continuing in the word daily brings us into the realization of who God is and what we are supposed to be and do as His disciples walking in His chosen path for our lives. The Bible says that ‘the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord’. Our steps are ordered by His word as we read it, meditate on it and apply it to everyday life. Adherence to the word of God transforms us into true disciples. As we study the life of Christ, we learn to ‘believe and trust, and [more] we have come to know [surely] that You are the Holy One of God, the Christ (the Anointed One), the Son of the living God’ (John 6:69).
A true disciple does not go his own way, but follows the way of truth. He does not do what is right in his own eyes. Proverbs 12:15, says ‘the way of a fool is right in his own eyes.’ Instead, a true disciple submits to the will of the Father and follows wherever He leads. Mark 8:34 says, “And Jesus called [to Him] the throng with His disciples and said to them, If anyone intends to come after Me, let him deny himself [forget, ignore, disown, and lose sight of himself and his own interests] and take up his cross, and [joining Me as a disciple and siding with My party] follow with Me [continually, cleaving steadfastly to Me]’. Taking up your cross daily is not always easy but, necessary to be a disciple of Christ. His yoke is easy and His burden is light to all who come unto Him.
Allow the word to transform you into a true disciple of Christ. Let your light shine before men so they are able to see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven. In and of ourselves, we are not qualified nor are we worthy to be called followers of Christ. We must come to the same conclusion Peter did when he said ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words (the message) of eternal life’ (John 6:68). He has chosen us as His disciples and appointed us to bear much fruit. What a privilege and an honor it is to be chosen by the Holy One of God, the Christ, the Anointed One, the Son of the living God, and to be called His friend. If you’re wondering what true discipleship will cost you? The answer is Everything! ----Trisha Barnes