A Disciple!

A disciple is defined as a follower of a person or idea. The Greek word "mathetes" is literally "a learner." A disciple is one who allows their life to be influenced so as to take on the identity of what (or who) they are following and learning. Someone has referred to discipleship in this way: "A Christian is a mind through which Christ thinks; a heart through which Christ loves; a voice through which Christ speaks; a hand through which Christ helps." [original source unknown]

Jesus taught. . .
"(24) A DISCIPLE is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. (25) It is enough for the DISCIPLE TO BE LIKE HIS TEACHER, and THE SERVANT LIKE HIS MASTER. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household." ( Matthew 10:24-25 ESV) [also Luke 6:40]

Being LIKE CHRIST not only includes being compassionate toward others and remaining steadfast in the Will of the Father, but also may mean we will be spoken against as He was. How closely is our life being IDENTIFIED WITH CHRIST? Though the name "Christian" seems to have first been a label placed on followers of Jesus by Gentiles ( Acts 11:26) and appears to have been used in a scornful or derogatory sense [even noted by Tacitus who wrote near the end of the first century that "The vulgar call them Christians."], from the second century on Christians accepted the term as a title of honor. They were even willing to suffer for the name. (Note Peter's encouragement in 1 Peter 4:16)

To be called a Christian without CHRIST BEING SEEN would seem to be an indication discipleship has not really taken place. Since we -- as the church -- are the BODY OF CHRIST ( Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23), what is being reflected in the manner in which our hands, feet, and mouth are involved in life? What truly marks the focus of our heart and mind? Does our life truly IDENTIFY US WITH CHRIST?

A native of the Congo prayed, "Dear Lord, You be the needle and I be the thread. You go first, and I will follower wherever You may lead." May we be willing to follow our Lord in such a manner that our going, doing, and saying truly reflects His Divine essence.

Have a great day LIVING THAT LESS OF SELF AND MORE OF CHRIST BE SEEN!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Discipleship