Discipleship

 

Discipleship

 

What does discipleship mean? According to The American Heritage College Dictionary it is, “dis•ci•ple n. 1a. One who assists in spreading the teachings of another. b. An active adherent, as of a movement. 2. often Disciple One of the original followers of JESUS. 3. Disciple A member of the Disciples of CHRIST. [ME < OE discipul and < OFr. disciple, both < Lat. discipulus, pupil < discere, to learn.] - dis•ci’ple•ship’ n.”

 

So what did JESUS mean when He said, “…If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free.” John 8:31b-32 NKJV? In the CJB it says, “If you obey what I say, then you are really My talmidim (disciples), you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free.” It’s important to note that verse 31 and 32 are one thought and statement.

 

This is a key teaching throughout the Bible: to the Israelites in the wilderness, to Joshua, to David, to Solomon, to the Prophets; JESUS Himself and the Apostles all taught the necessity of knowing GOD’s Word and living according to it. Such famously quoted verses as, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth…” “Your Word is a lamp unto my feet.” “All Scripture is given by inspiration of GOD…” Joshua 1:8-9; Psalm 119:105-106; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

 

JESUS said He came only to do the Will of His Father and taught us to pray for the Father’s will to be done in the earth as it is in Heaven and that it is us who are to do the Father’s Will! Matthew 6:9-13; John 6:38-40

 

So what is my struggle, why do so many Christians struggle with simply obeying the Bible, GOD’s Word? GOD has made it clear that from the giving of the Law (Torah) until today He has given us His Word on how to live and serve Him. JESUS made it clear in His teaching, “Seek first the Kingdom of GOD and His Righteousness…” “Lay down your life and take up your cross and follow Me.” Obedience is key and the only clear structure for obedience is the Bible. We are taught to love everybody but recognize sin and not to participate in it. To proclaim the good news of Salvation, without beating people up with it. To offer the hope that we have, to those who have no hope. To bring light into dark places. To overcome by the Blood of The Lamb, the word of our testimony and by not loving our life, even if we face death. Matthew 6:33-34; Mark 8:34-38; Revelation 12:11

 

In exchange we get eternal life in GOD’s Kingdom! John 17:3, “And this is Eternal Life, that they may know You, The Only True GOD, and JESUS CHRIST Whom You have sent.” John 14:1-3, ”Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in GOD, believe also in Me. In My Father’s House are many dwellings; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I Am, there you may be also.”

 

So why is it so hard to give up this life that we are born into that only leads to eternal damnation for being born again into a life that leads to eternal salvation?