True Disciple
What is the making of a true disciple?
In John 6:60-69 we are given a clear demonstration of the difference between a true and false disciple. In reading the text we see that there are some followers who are granted the name “disciple” as long as they are actively following Jesus Christ. We cannot know exactly what the followers’ motives were for following Christ but when the going got tough, they said “um. This is too hard, nevermind, see ya later Jesus.” A large amount of followers bailed in the middle of His ministry.
I have seen examples of “disciples” who follow for a season and when the going gets tough bail out as fast as they can.
A true disciple sticks with Christ through thick and thin. Or do they? Peter denied Christ, right? Thomas doubted Christ’s ability to rise again even after watching Him do miracle after miracle. But the difference in Peter and Thomas and the other followers who left is in the fact that those who left never returned. Peter and Thomas had moments of departure but didn’t go too far before they realized “hey – this guy was legit. I know He is God. I’m running back to Him.”
I believe the real demonstration of one’s true discipleship is in the choice to follow Christ’s last orders to advance His kingdom. After Christ’s return to Heaven, Peter and the other disciples who were serious about Jesus launched a hardcore advancement of the gospel.
How are you advancing the gospel? Are you waiting for a lighting bolt to strike before you decide where or how to minister? Do you allow fear to prevent you from sharing your testimony? Do you doubt that God is able to use you? Are you quite content in comfortable,non-confrontational, non-duty demanding Christianity? Do you think you need to have more knowledge or more experience being a Christian in order to be effective?
Guess what I’ve learned about all those thoughts and excuses- they’re centered around me. They’re completely focused on my ability or comfort and not at all on God’s command for our involvement.
Few believers can honestly say that they are consistently sharing their faith and helping lead others in Christ’s direction without the help of any structured ministry. I know some can and do but believers who are stepping from Christ-centered to World-centered Christianity need the extra accountability and organization of an active ministry. If it helps, I want to share with you a few great reasons to get involved in a ministry that challenges your walk and gives you a share of the Kingdom responsibility;
- Being in a ministry helps increase your awareness of God’s concern for other people.
- Increased awareness of God’s heart for others takes your mind off yourself
- Responsibility takes your mind off yourself and your own self-centered world
- Ministry helps you meet others and get connections into the community
- Ministry provides leadership that can set an example of how to minister
- Ministry increases (if it is challenging enough and you are participating correctly) your dependency on God
- Ministry causes you to spend more time around other disciples, the church, in scripture, in prayer, and reaching out
- You learn a tremendous amount about yourself and your gifts when in ministry
- You become bolder as you do more outreach and sharing
- Ministry creates and excitement for the expansion of God’s kingdom and a bigger passion to be a part
- Over time, ministry participants can watch God do pretty incredible things in others’ lives and in their own life
I firmly believe that if a believer is not taking advantage of opportunities to minister, they are probably spending a whole lot more time thinking about self than they are meant to be. True discipleship is active, current, present and now. It’s not a decision made once-and-for-all. Discipleship is a lifestyle.
