Many people consider themselves to be Christian. A lot fewer people would say that they are disciples of Jesus. Jesus never used the word “Christian,” but He often used the word “disciple.” He used this word not only for the twelve men who followed Him, but also for anyone else who followed him, or anyone who would follow him in the future.
A disciple is a follower, a learner, or an imitator. The last words of Jesus, just before He ascended into Heaven, were to those who were with Him. He told them to go into all the world and teach people to observe all of the things that He had taught, and in that way, they would be making disciples of Him.
Jesus gave at least three different characteristics of being his disciple. One of the best examples is found in John 13:35: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another.”
Another is in John 8:31b-32: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
And another verse is John 15:8: “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”
So, a disciple of Jesus will have radical love for others. He will continue in the Word (walk-in obedience), and he will bear much fruit.
A few things that Jesus said will prevent someone from being His disciples:
- If you are not willing to forsake your parents, siblings, wife, and children, then you cannot be His disciple.
- Whoever is not willing to bear his cross cannot be His disciple.
- Whoever is not willing to forsake all that he has, cannot be His disciple.
Every authentic Christian will be Jesus’s disciple, even if he or she is described as radical. We should consider it an honor to be called ‘odd’ or ‘out-of-touch or whatever else we may be labeled. The early disciples of Jesus rejoiced right after being beaten for preaching about Jesus because they were privileged to suffer for their Savior!
Today, we hear more about “radical Islam” than we do about “radical Christianity”. If people who follow a false religion are radical about it, how much more should those who follow the real deal be radical?
Jesus told us to be both a light to the world, and the salt of the earth – two very good things. But He also warned that salt can lose its effectiveness, and a light can be hidden under a bushel.
Paul described what it meant to be a disciple of Jesus when he said, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Jesus was willing to die for me and you. Certainly, it is just a reasonable service for us to give ourselves as a living sacrifice for Him who died for us. Amen!