Discipleship!

 Discipleship!

What does disciple 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? It’s important to note that 31 and 32 are one continuous thought.

This is a key teaching throughout the Bible: The LORD to the Israelites in the wilderness, The LORD to Joshua, David in the Psalms, Solomon in the Proverbs, 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…”

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! John 6:38-40; Matthew 6:9-10.

So what is my struggle, why do so many Christians struggle with simply obeying the Bible? 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 when we face death.

In exchange we get eternal life in GOD’s Kingdom!

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?

Discipleship is the result of our making a decision to keep JESUS’ Commands, John 8:31-32. It means giving up everything about our life and living the Life GOD has created us for. “Then JESUS answered and said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you,  The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees The Father do; for whatever He does The Son also does in like manner.’” John 5:19 “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” Matthew 10:37-39

Discipleship is not just what we practice as a lifestyle, it is a lifestyle that we teach  believers so that they grow in Faith and Trust in JESUS.