Be My Disciple

Jesus' call to discipleship is clearly stated in Luke 14: 27 , “...anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” Then he added in verse 33, “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” Based on these verses, true discipleship means passionate, complete, utter devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ. Everyone of us who believes in Jesus, needs to be His disciple. It's not enough that we just give Him a part of our lives, He wants our all. Being His disciple means that we have to make Christ Lord of all our lives. If He is not Lord of all, then He is not Lord at all.

As a true disciple, God wants us to be consistent in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Our focus should be on our relationship with Him, not on religious traditions or on empty acts of service. We have to remember that the Christian life should always be characterized by love. This means that in everything we do, love should be our motivation. As it says in 2 Corinthians 5: 14-15, “For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

The entire discipleship process does not stop in being a disciple. Actually, it's just the first step. Now that we've experienced God's working in our lives, it's time for us to engage with others in our families and communities so we can tell them about God's love. God's great commission to all believers is found in Matthew 28: 19-20. It says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” This is command is not optional, it is a must. We have to constantly be aware of the opportunities for discipleship that God's presents before us. As Christ models true Christian living to us, so should we to those we disciple. But it is important to remember that discipleship is not a one-time thing, it is a lifestyle.