16/09/2016
Our calling as Christians is to become Disciples.
Are you a Disciple? How do you know that you are a Disciple? Is it possible that you might still be a convert when you always thought you were a Disciple? Is it possible that you have remained a convert even after many years of following Christ?
Consider the following scripture:
“For even though by this time you ought to be teaching others, you actually need someone to teach you over again the very first principles of God's Word. You have come to need milk, not solid food.
For everyone who continues to feed on milk is obviously inexperienced and unskilled in the doctrine of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action), for he is a mere infant [not able to talk yet]!
But solid food is for full-grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to discriminate and distinguish between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law” (Hebrews 5:12-14).
Sadly, the scripture above is a picture of many believers in the church today. They are still drinking “the milk of the word” when they should have been partaking of the “solid food”. They are still converts when by this time, they should have become disciples.
How can you tell if you are a Disciple or you are still a convert?
The Lord has provided the marks or characteristics by which we can identify a Disciple. Apply these characteristics to your life to determine if you are a Disciple or still a convert.
A Disciple is a Learner – Open and Teachable
“The wise man is glad to be instructed, but a self-sufficient fool falls flat on his face (Proverbs 10:8 Living Bible).”
The opposite is “Never correct a conceited man - he will hate you for it. But if you correct a wise man, he will respect you (Proverbs 9:8).”
Are you WILLING to learn? Are you open and teachable or do you believe you know it all?
A disciple has a heart for witnessing
“And every day in the Temple and in people’s homes they continued to teach and preach the Good News about Jesus the Messiah (Acts 5:42)”
“The fruit of the uncompromisingly righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise captures human lives for God as a fisher of men…(Proverbs 11:30 Amplified).”
Are you leading others to Christ? When was the last time you deliberately engaged in witnessing and Soul Winning? Have you recently witnessed to someone and led them to Christ?
Maybe you do not believe what God says about the eternal destiny of the Lost? Maybe you do not care.
A disciple is committed to a life of purity and is taking steps to separate from sin.
“For God has revealed His grace for the salvation of all people. That grace instructs us to give up ungodly living and worldly passions, and to live self –controlled, upright, and godly lives in this world… He gave Himself for us, to rescue us from all wickedness and to make us a pure people who belong to Him alone..(Titus 2:11-14)”
Do you have deliberate steps in place to separate from that sin that so easily entangles you? Are you living a life of compromise and hypocrisy? Do you live just like the rest of the world?
A disciple has a daily devotional time and is developing his/her prayer life.
“Early in the morning, well before sunrise, Jesus rose and went to a deserted place where He could be alone in prayer”
Do you have a DAILY, REGULAR time alone with God in prayer? Did you meet with God this morning?
A disciple demonstrates faithfulness and a desire to learn and apply the Word of God
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your word was to me the joy and the rejoicing of my heart (Jeremiah 15:16)”
“Search the Scriptures…(John 5:39)”
Do you have a deliberate program to search the scriptures? Are you excited to hear the word, read the word, study the word, memorise the scriptures, meditate on the word and APPLY IT to your life?
A disciple gives regularly and honours God with his/her finances.
“Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving].
And God is able to make all grace (every favour and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation]”.
Are you a giver? Do you give regularly and willingly? Do you support God’s work with your finances?
A disciple puts Christ first in all areas of his/her life.
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me Luke 9:23 (KJV).”
Who is FIRST in your life? Who controls your life?
A disciple demonstrates the fruit of the spirit by an attractive relationship with Christ and others.
“The fruit of the uncompromisingly righteous is a tree of (Proverbs 11:30)”.
What fruit are you displaying and demonstrating through your life? Is it the rotten fruit of the flesh, the plastic fruit of hypocrisy or the fruit of the Spirit?
A disciple has a clear testimony among the brethren.
“AND [Paul] went down to Derbe and also to Lystra. A disciple named Timothy was there, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer [she had become convinced that Jesus is the Messiah and the Author of eternal salvation, and yielded obedience to Him]; but [Timothy's] father was a Greek.
He [Timothy] had a good reputation among the brethren at Lystra and Iconium (Acts 16:1-2).
How do people know you? What is your testimony or reputation, especially among the non-believers? Are you one among them? Are they comfortable in your presence? Are you at home among the unsaved?
A disciple demonstrates a servant heart by helping others in practical ways.
“But Jesus called them to [Him] and said to them, You know that those who are recognized as governing and are supposed to rule the Gentiles (the nations) lord it over them [ruling with absolute power, holding them in subjection], and their great men exercise authority and dominion over them.
But this is not to be so among you; instead, whoever desires to be great among you must be your servant,
And whoever wishes to be most important and first in rank among you must be slave of all (Mark 10:42-44)”.
Are you a servant or a master? Are you serving or being served?
A Disciple abides in the Word – To abide is to OBEY
“If you keep on obeying what I have said, you truly are my disciples (John 8:31)”.
Are you a doer of the word or simply a hearer? Can we liken you to the wise man who built his house upon the rock or the foolish man who had sand as a foundation? (see Matthew 7:24-27)
A Disciple BEARS much fruit
“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be my disciples (John 15:8)”
What type of fruit are you producing? When you bring others to Christ, do they stand? Do you have a disciple that you brought to Christ and who is leading others to Christ as well?
The biggest question is: Are you a Disciple? Are these characteristics and identifying marks clearly evident in your life?
If these are missing, you are a convert and it is high time you became a Disciple.
