Saturday, May 5, 2012

May 6, 2012

"Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple......" Luke 9:23

Perhaps it makes sense to define terms before we go much further in our devotional thoughts. Quite simple, "What is a disciple?' or "What does a disciple look like?" or "What does it mean to be a disciple?"
 
I am sure Jesus had a specific idea in mind when He called them to follow Him. I am sure the men he called were clear on what they were signing up for.
 
Do you consider yourself a disciple of Jesus? Are you clear on what it means to be a disciple? Don't you think that would be an important thing to know? Shouldn't you be clear on the concept?
 
Let me see if I can clarify it for you:
 
Being a disciple involves relationship - a disciple is a lover.
 
If being a disciple means anything it means being in a relationship with the one you choose to follow. You do tend to follow what you love and you grow in love as you follow.
 
To be in relationship with Jesus, or anyone for that matter, you must have constant communication with Him. For a disciple that means prayer. Recall that Jesus didn't teach His twelve disciples to preach but He did teach them to pray.
 
To be in relationship you must also be committed. Commitment requires obedience. You cannot be a disciple if you are not committed to completely obeying Jesus.
 
Being a disciple involves recognition - a disciple is a learner.
 
A disciple must learn and adapt to the beliefs of the one he is following. So, a disciple of Jesus must be a learner of Jesus' teachings and truths. And a disciple doesn't learn just to acquire knowledge and information, he learns for life-change.
 
Being a disciple involves reproduction - a disciple is a leader.
 
Thirdly, a disciple that loves his master and learns from his master will eventually live like his master. As he lives like his master he will look like his master. When you live like a leader and look like a leader, others will begin to follow you. A disciple not only conforms to the life-style of his master but he will influence others to live like Jesus.
 
So, what is a disciple of Jesus? One who loves Jesus and learns from Jesus until he looks and lives like Jesus. A disciple follows until he leads.
 
Let me ask you, do you love Jesus? How well are you obeying Him? How much are you committed to Him? Are you in regular communication with Him?
 
Are you learning from Jesus? Are you reading His Word and meditating on it? Is your thinking guided by His truths?
 
Are you leading others to Jesus? Are others following Him because of you?
 
If you consider youself a disciple and if you call yourself by that name - love Him, learn of Him, and lead others to Him.