TRUE DISCIPLES OF JESUS!
More importantly, how can you and I know that we are true disciples of Jesus?
Jesus gave us some important indicators to help us answer this questions:
1. We must repent!
From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 4:17 (emphasis added)
"Repent" simply means "to change one's mind." It is a willingness to allow God to change our hearts, enlighten our minds and conform to His perfect ways and will!
No one can become a child of God, and disciple of Jesus, without a willingness to change! God accepts us just as we are but only if we are willing to conform to His ways!
2. We must be born again!
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3 (emphasis added)
A supernatural transformation must take place if one is to become Jesus' disciple! We cannot simply repeat a prayer, join a church or sign up for a "get-out-of jail-free" card. A genuine work of God must occur in the heart!
3. We must forsake all!
"So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple."
Luke 14:33
Sin is simply doing things our own way - living the way we want to live, without consulting, much less, obeying God . Because mankind is fallen, we are born sinful by nature! We will not instinctively do, say or act according to God's perfect and holy ways!
Anything we hold on to too tightly is an idol. Many human ideologies seem good but we must forsake every one and learn the ways of God instead - learning what is good and what we should reject.
He will teach us His higher wisdom through His Word and His Spirit!
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts."
(Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV)
Obviously, there is much more to the Christian life. But these simple truths, so widely taught since Jesus' day, seem to have become obscured, and even disregarded, by today's churches. The "new paradigms" of many modern western churches promise discipleship without any hint of repentance, new birth, transformation or change of any kind!
It will do us no harm to reevaluate the genuineness and level of our discipleship! If we find we are true disciples, perhaps we need to turn our level of discipleship up a notch - perhaps even a few notches!
Any true servant of God does not want to remain the same! He or she longs for change to become more like Him, to grow in the knowledge of Him and conform more to His will!
Above all, a true disciple and servant of Jesus Christ, desires to please HIs Master!
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As always, Sonmorph includes the following resources to readers:
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW GOD PERSONALLY - FOLLOW THIS LINK...
IF YOU ALREADY ACCEPTED JESUS AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR - GO HERE...
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