Are You a Disciple of Christ?
Definition #1. “Disciple” - "An individual that lives under the direct instruction from and obedience to the one whom he intends to model his life after."
Definition #2. “ A Disciple does not simply want to know what the Rabbi knows, he wants to be just like the Rabbi in knowledge and lifestyle.”
It is my observation that the Biblical ideal of "Discipleship" has not been tried and found "wanting"; it has been tried and found difficult and largely left alone.
There is a cost to becoming a "disciple" of Jesus Christ. If you are not willing to "pick up your cross" and follow Him where-ever he may lead; your salvation may be in question. I recently re-read a book written by Dietrich Bonhoeffer in which he states, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die”. In my examination of Scripture I find this to be true. Yes Jesus is love. He is kind, forgiving, gentle and meek. But He is anything but weak. Much of what He has to say is HARD and un-flexible. I am constantly challenged by scripture and have determined that whenever I find scripture that differs from what I have be taught by parents, teachers or pastors, It is best to follow the scripture because only scripture is TRUTH.
I find it best then not to measure the Word of God, but to let IT measure me. Consider the words of Jesus:
Luke 14:27
27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
Do you “carry your cross”?
Do you “follow” Him?
John 15:8
8 "By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.
8 "By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.
Have brought any “fruit” into the kingdom
Matt 28:19 - Mark 1:1
19 "Go therefore and make disciplesof all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. "
19 "Go therefore and make disciplesof all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. "
Consider the following statement and question:
“One cannot obey the commands of Jesus unless they truly believe that He is God; Therefore, one cannot truly believe the Jesus is God unless they submit to His authority as LORD and OBEY his commands.”
1 John 2:3-6
3 And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: 6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. NAS
These verses support the previous and seem to agree that if a person does not live a lifestyle of obedience they are not truly saved.
#1. Do you agree? Why or Why Not? What is the Biblical support for your answer?
#2. In your understanding of scripture, can you be saved and not be a disciple? Why or why not w/reference.
What do you say?
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