Before we can disciple others, we must become disciples. We must make sure we are following Christ.

Mark Dever

 

Dear Friends and Members of IBC,

In the last two steps of this series on being a new and renewed follower of Jesus, I would like to first take a brief look at what it means to be a disciple, and then, next week, how disciples make disciples.

What is a disciple? The traditional definition of the word ‘disciple’ is someone who follows the teachings of another person, typically a leader or teacher. The disciple obeys these teachings and tries to live their lives by them. So, someone who seeks to follow the teachings and life of Jesus Christ, is called a disciple of Jesus. This applies to all Christians. There are no different types of Christians. Every Christian is a disciple of Jesus Christ.

An important truth for every disciple of Jesus to understand is that they are not their own anymore. 1 Corinthians 6:19-29 tells us that they have been bought at a price. And the cost was very high, it was Jesus’ death on the cross. So, we are no longer in charge of own lives. Now, this is a hard truth that many of us try to resist in some way, but it is only to our detriment. You see, the whole Christian life is really one of continual, never-ending, joyfully painful surrender. And then more surrender. Once we have passed over from darkness to light and become a new creation, then God starts His work of sanctifying us (see last week for more on this), which involves putting His divine finger on areas of our lives which we have not yet truly surrendered to Him. Our bank accounts, personal goals, desires for position, reputation, need for comfort, everything must all be given up to our new Lord and Master at some point. These things must not come before Him.

Jesus Himself also tells us that anyone who wants to be His disciple must follow Him, stipulating the two conditions which outline what this surrender to Him looks like. In Luke 9:23, He states that: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Every disciple of Jesus is a surrendered servant. They are willing to lay down their own egos, their own self-centred desires, their own self-made goals, and make following Him their number one priority.

Here's an exhortation for all of us this week: Let’s pray and ask God what it practically looks like for us to deny ourselves and take up our crosses daily for Him. Let’s just pray that simple prayer and trust that He will be kind enough to show us where we have grown attached to any temporal, earthy things that have no eternal value.

God bless you

James

Recommended book on discipleship:

Discipling: How to Help Others Follow Jesus. Mark Dever.