Are you a disciple? 👩🏾‍🏫

The word disciple means a learner or student. A disciple is also a follower who completely adheres to the teachings of a teacher, leader, or philosopher.  Jesus Christ had twelve disciples who followed him (Matthew 4:19) up to the point of his death and they continued in the work that he started which we see today. A true Christian should effectively be a disciple of Christ. The Christian disciple must truly adhere to the teachings of Jesus, making Christ their number one priority. 

I believe every Christian should be a disciple, but this is not so. Many may claim to be Christians, but they are unable to call themselves a disciple, as they have not surrendered and committed their life to Jesus - “So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not [carefully consider the cost and then for My sake] give up all his own possessions” - Luke 14:33 

The first step into becoming a disciple is that you have to deny yourself and forsake others. Luke 9:23-25. You will have to carry your cross and follow him. Your life is not your life anymore as you are following God. You are fully submitted and surrendered to the perfect will of God. Before denying yourself, you must believe in whom you are denying yourself for. For you to do that you have to abide in God’s word. John 8:32 Read it, study it and apply it. There is no way that you can genuinely seek God, read His Word, and apply it without experiencing transformation into the likeness of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). This is because discipleship makes us more like Him as we grow in Him. Your discipleship journey begins the moment you become a Christian.

Alongside being a disciple ourselves, we are called to be actively involved in making other disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). This is the great commission -  to teach others about Christ so they too may become disciples of Christ. We are called every day to be a disciple. It is a process. When Peter preached on Pentecost Day, many became disciples. Read Acts 2. 

What makes you a good disciple is how you interact with people. As disciples of Jesus Christ, our primary goal is to follow in His footsteps and live a life that reflects His love, mercy, and truth. Every disciple should have love for one another (John 13:34-35). The way we act towards each other is how the world perceives us. Therefore, Christian disciples showing love to one another shows that we know God because God is love. Disciples ought to stand out from the world. All Christians should desire to be a part of a discipling relationship. A Christian needs to be discipled because a major part of discipleship is continuing the work that Jesus had started, making yourself an imitator of Christ. 

Are you someone that just believes in God or are you a follower of Jesus Christ?

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