14 April 2024

THE MARKS OF DISCIPLESHIP (2)

(Going Forward in Christ: GFIC 15)

The Lord Jesus in the Great Commission said, “Go and make disciples of all peoples … and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matt.28:19). Only disciples can make an impact on people and the nations. A disciple is a committed and obedient follower and is expected to reproduce disciples: “go and make disciples” out of others. The Lord Jesus Himself tells us what He expects of every disciple.

1. A Disciple is Committed to His Teaching:
“To the Jews who had believed in Him, Jesus said, If you hold to My Teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). The NKJV says, “If you abide in My Word”. Jesus also said, “The Words that I speak to you are Spirit and they are Life” and Peter responded, “You have the Words of Eternal Life” (John 6:63, 68). Christians who do not read and study the Word of God regularly have a weak spiritual life and cannot live in victory. To “hold on” to Christ’s teaching not only means to be faithful to it but also to obey. Then we will be “set free” from evil habits and temptation and the devil’s attacks on our life.

2. A Disciple is Fruitful and Glorifies God.
“This is to My Father’s Glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples” (John 15:8). There are two aspects of fruitfulness.

Firstly, it is the Fruit of the Spirit: “Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal.5:22-23). These are virtues of the Christian life which are like the character of Christ.

Secondly, there is the Fruit of Evangelism: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last” (John 15:16). Jesus commanded us to “Go into the world and preach the Gospel …You are My witnesses” (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8). A disciple should be winning souls and discipling them for Jesus. This will glorify God the Father and bring joy to Heaven (Luke 15:7, 10).

3. A Disciple Loves Like Jesus.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35). We are to love one another as Jesus loves us. Jesus loves us freely and without any pre-conditions. He loves us so much that He was prepared to lay down His Life for us. That is how much we must love one another because we belong to the Family of God. 1 John 3:16-17 reiterates this: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His Life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need, but has no pity on them, how can the Love of God be in that person?” May we be true disciples of Jesus Christ in life, love and action! 

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