WHO IS A DISCIPLE OR FOLLOWER
OF JESUS?
Those that followed Jesus are called by a number of
names or terms. They are called Christians (Acts
When
viewed from the standpoint of surrender to Christ the saved ones are called Christians. If you look at the fact that
they are set apart for a holy and godly life they are Saints. Viewed from the position of their relationship with God the
Father they are Children or Sons of God.
Observing their relationship with one another were see
that they are Brethren. Based upon
their faith in the risen Christ they are Believers.
A Disciple is a follower or learner.
Let us observe:
A
disciple is obedient in faith. "Go ye therefore, and make
disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever
I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
(Matthew 28:19-20 -- ASV) To be a disciple or follower of Christ were must
accept what He teaches and be obedient from our heart to His will.
A
disciple loves the Lord. May "the Lord direct your hearts into the
love of God, and into the patience of Christ." (2
Thessalonians 3:5) Paul wrote, "Grace be with all
them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen." (Ephesians 6:24)
Paul desired that "grace" might be with those that sincerely love
God. Love for God is the sum and substance of the first and great commandment
in the Law. (Matthew 22:37-38)
A
disciple loves the brethren. Jesus said, "By this shall all men
know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to
another." (John 13:35) As it was said of Christians in years past it
should be said of us today, "see how they love one another."
Brotherly love was a distinguishing characteristic of the first Christians. The
motivation for this love is that those people are my spiritual family.
A
disciple renounces the world for Jesus. Jesus said, "So likewise,
whosoever he be of you that forsaketh
not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:33) He explained
more about what he meant by saying, “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate
his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes,
and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. (Luke 14:26) We must renounce
anything that stands in the way of the honor that we should give to Jesus or
the interest that we should have in the cause of Christ.
A
disciple continues in Jesus' word. In John
A
disciple bears much fruit. Jesus said, "Herein is my Father
glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." (John
15:8) Those that do not bear fruit will be cut off. Christians must bear in
their life the fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23) Christians must also
bear the fruit of producing other Christians. (2 Timothy 2:2) Let us resolve to
truly be Jesus' disciples. Allow the love of Christ to constrain you to be His
disciple. (2 Corinthians 5:14)
Obey
Jesus' word and continue in it that you may be His disciple. Many have rejected
God's plan of salvation. Responsible persons "that know not God and that
OBEY not the gospel of Jesus Christ" will be lost. (2 Thessalonians
1:7-10) To become a Christian you must hear God's word (Romans
By Charles Box, Walnut Street
Church of Christ, P.O. Box 551, Greenville, Alabama 36037 USA