John 13:35 “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
What are the characteristics of a disciple? 1. Love for the brethren (our brothers and sisters in Christ). 2. Love for Jesus. Jesus says in Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple”, meaning there is to be no higher love than the love of our Savior and Lord. 3. Be like Jesus. Matthew 10:25 tells us, “It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!” 4. Be committed with Jesus. Luke 14:27 “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” 5. Is benevolent. Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” 6. Abide in Jesus. Jesus tells us in John 15:4-6, Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit [a]of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.” 7. Abides in Jesus’ words, teachings and commands. John 8:31-32 tells us, then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” And in John 15:7, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” When you align your mind, heart and will with the Lord’s mind, heart and will, then He’ll give you the desires of your heart.
What is the objective of making disciples? Saving souls, changing the darkness of sin, unbelief and rebellion against God into the light of righteousness and holiness towards true love, pure joy, satisfying contentment and lasting peace in godliness through Christ.
What is the objective of being a disciple? To facilitate the spiritual growth of Christians. When we receive Christ as our Savior and Lord, we are “born again”. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” There are myths about Christian growth to be aware of. First myths is the spiritual growth is automatic, once you are born again. Second myth is that spirituality is mystical and obtained only by a few. Third myth is that spiritual maturity can occur instantly, if you find the right key. Fourth myth is that spiritual maturity is measure by what you know. How you are living your Christian life is the true measure of Christian maturity. Fifth myth is that it is a private matter and nobody is supposed to know how far you’ve grown or mature you are in Christ. Sixth myth is that all you need to get spiritual maturity is the Bible. The Word of God teaches, but the church is the body of Christ, the body of Believers that are in community and need fellowship or brotherly support in brotherly love. If we fall for any of these myths, we’ll become lazy and discouraged in our spiritual life and ministry work for the Lord.
Disciples make disciples, who make disciples. There are multiple Christian ministries that each of us can get involved in to share the Gospel, saw the love of God and point to the foot of the Cross to a lost and dying world in need of a Savior. Serve the Lord, get involved and create the moments and opportunities to meet and make disciples in the power of God in His mission and harvest work. Mentor where you can, but have personal prayer, Bible reading and devotion time with God for yourself. Love God and love others. The more disciplined we become in the things of the Lord, the more God can use us. The mark of a disciple of Jesus is continued growth and maturity unto the day that the Lord calls us home in Heaven.
The true disciple of Christ has the desire to grow and mature as a Child of God, with a desire to spend time with their heavenly Father. Some people in church may not be able to think of anything that God has given to them, but what have those people given to God? Do we have the desire and putting in the effort to be disciples?
The benefits of discipleship are that the kingdom of Jesus Christ advances, Christ’s church grows and grows deeper in faith, the kingdom of Heaven increases, the population of Hell decreases, stability in a world that is in chaotic turmoil, and experience more blessings than we could ever imagine. But, it doesn’t all come from God and it takes the effort of taking steps in faith on our part. When a church disobeys Christ by stopping the making and developing disciples (getting them around the bases to score), then they stop being a true church, because that is what we are here for. The holy saints (those who have been set apart and sanctify by God, for God’s purposes) have to get involved with discipleship.
Everything works together in the Christian church. Our worship is an extension of how we live out our Christian life. Going to church builds the experience of community in the faith. Coming together as the body of Christ we create the desire to help others develop and grow in Christ, become disciples and strengthen the faith of each other. As a church, we have to intentionally participate and ensure that we are fulfilling the biblical model of discipleship and be committed to spiritual maturity in self and those around us to grow closer to Jesus. It takes balance to do all the things required for authentic discipleship. You cannot just be a church about relationship, a church that is fun and entertaining, a church that is inviting and exciting, or a church that focuses on membership because that type of church is out of balance. Even though some churches are more gifted in some areas of ministry, the Lord calls for balance and the making of disciples, for it is all about His glory.
In Christ, Brian
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