Disciple or not
What does this mean….
What is a Christian?
Ask 10 different people and you’ll probably get 10 different answers:
- someone who goes to church every Sunday;
- someone who was born into a Christian family;
- someone who believes Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead.
- someone who celebrates Christmas and Easter;
- someone who doesn’t drink, smoke, or use bad language.
Others take a bleaker view.
They’d say Christians are judgmental, homophobic moralists who think they’re the only ones going to heaven and secretly relish that everyone else is going to hell.
If there’s so much disagreement about what a Christian is, how are we supposed to know who we can trust on this issue?
Not much of what we’ve talked about so far describes a Christian as defined in the Bible.
In fact, the word “Christian” only appears 3 times in the Bible.
First-century Christians didn’t call themselves Christians.
It was a derogatory term used by outsiders to describe followers of Jesus.
Christians called themselves something far more intimidating: “disciples.”
“Disciple” is an intimidating word because it means learner, pupil, apprentice, adherent, or follower.
A disciple learns and grows by obeying and imitating their Rabbi (master).
Discipleship isn’t as simple as going to church services or believing a set of facts. It’s not about observing rituals or celebrating holidays. It’s not just being born into the right family or behaving morally, or behaving acceptably.
Being a disciple is active.
It requires effort…and sacrifice.
It requires obedience, obedience beyond personal choice or preference. We can hide behind the word “Christian,” but early Christians considered themselves disciples.
So, what does it look like to be a disciple of Jesus?
In John 13:34–35, Jesus commissions the disciples and gives them their marching orders: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Surely if we claim to be true followers of Jesus we are disciples. Perhaps we need to take a look at our lives and see if there is evidence to support that claim.
When Christians live like disciples, outsiders look at their communities with wonder:
“Look at the way they love.
Look how they honour/respect women, children, the elderly, and the sick.
Look how they respond to persecution—it’s like they don’t even fear death.”
That kind of love has the power to change the world.
Jesus calls his followers to build communities of world-changing love.
Too often, we fail and outsiders end up viewing churches as places of criticism, hostility, rejection, and stifling moralism. They see self-serving clubs in which they’re not welcome.
So here’s the question:
Are we going to be content just being Christians, or are we going to be true disciples?
Have you ever noticed the ‘one anothers’ in scripture?
- Love one another – Jn13 v34
- Be devoted to one another – Romans 12v5
- Honour one another – Romans 12v10
- Rejoice with one another – Romans 12v15
- Serve one another – Romans 5v13
- Carry one another’s burdens – Gal 6v2
- Forgive one another – Eph 4v32
- Encourage one another – 1Thes 5v11
- Offer hospitality to one another – 1Peter 4v9
- Confess our sins to one another – James 5v16
- Pray for one another – James 5v 16
The list goes on. Worship with, Greet, Accept, Lay your life down for…
Every ‘one another’ command, shows that the church is not just about a programme or meetings. It’s about a shared life.
This commandment is given to the church first.
Have you noticed there are some within the church they are so loving towards those who don’t no christ yet and so intolerant of the people they fellowship with?
And then there are those in our churches who love but only love within the 4 walls of the church.
What If…
Just imagine what your workplace and community would be like if you loved the way Jesus calls us to love?
Can you imagine what would happen in our nation—in our world—if Christians everywhere began living like disciples?
What if for the next 3 to 6 months, each of us committed to loving the people around them?
If you’re a follower of Jesus, try it this week.
To the best of your ability, by God’s grace, love the people around you.
I believe we would see an amazing breakthrough.
This is being a disciple.
It has the power to change our heart, our relationships, our community, and even the world.
The key to understanding John 13:34 and other statements about love is to know that this love (the Greek word agape) is not so much a matter of emotion as it is of doing things for the benefit of another person. It’s having an unselfish concern for another person and a willingness to seek the best for them.
Let me leave you with a quote from R. C. Sproul