What Does it Mean to be a Disciple of Christ

What Does it Mean to be a Disciple of Christ?

Have you ever called yourself a disciple? Do you immediately feel unworthy? Does the thought create a little angst in your spirit?

By definition, a disciple is a follower. Are you a follower of Jesus? It feels a bit easier to answer yes when it is phrased like that.

Let’s continue… a disciple of Christ is a follower who accepts and assists in spreading the good news of the gospel. This is what every believer is called to do. Yes, every believer so that includes me and you.

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

1 Peter 3:15-16

 

Are we a Disciple or are we Disobedient Children?

What lies between being a disciple and a disobedient child is simply a decision.

Will we decide to be His disciple, or will we decide to disobey?

What are 5 Indicators we have Decided to be a Disciple?

1.        Elevate Jesus to His Proper Place – FIRST! If we come first, putting our personal desires, insecurities, and selfish ambitions before obedience to His word – our decision is clear. Being a disciple requires denying our flesh. That means we deny the aspects of our flesh that leads to death – like our selfishness, complacency, and disregard for others. Yes, there will be sacrifice and even pain, but it will lead to a better life in Him and offer us the opportunity to point others to Him. (Mark 8:34-38)

2.        Follow the teachings of Jesus. We cannot argue with this one because John 8:31 says, “Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.” Mic drop. Are we remaining faithful to His teachings? If not – today is a good day to study His teachings and to commit to applying them in our everyday life while at work, out in the community, and in our homes. Not only should we follow His teachings, but we should meditate on them and talk about them with others.

3.        We are to be bearing fruit. When we look at a tree, the health of the tree is evident. It is either bearing fruit, struggling to bear any fruit, or it simply is not bearing fruit. We are like that. Others can see if our lives are fruitful or not. We may be struggling and striving to bear this fruit the Bible speaks about. But, it doesn’t come through our doing. The fruit comes as we learn to abide in Christ. Abide in Him and you will bear much fruit. (John 15:5-8)

4.        Love others. There are some strong scriptures in the Bible about loving other believers. We are to love, have unity, and maintain peace with one another. Take some time to read 1 John 3:10-24. We can choose to apply this and love others well regardless of their doctrine, political affiliation, and self-centeredness. We cannot change others, but we can choose to submit our life to Christ and love others as He loves.

5.        Disciple others. There are people in your life who don’t know what you know. There are people who know much more than you know. What if you asked someone to disciple or mentor you in God’s word? What if you offered to meet with and mentor or disciple someone? It could truly be life changing for you all.

One of the last things that Jesus said before ascending into Heaven was to “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”(Matthew 28:18-20) The best part of discipling others is watching God move. He will take your obedience and multiply it in ways you never imagined.

 

What will you decide? It is a daily decision and sometimes a moment by moment decision. But… as someone who has lived seasons as a disciple and seasons as a disobedient child, I can testify boldly that He way is BEST! What we gain when we decide to live for Him, far outweighs anything we leave behind.

I am cheering for you! Make the decision; live your life as a disciple of Christ. Make a difference in the lives of others – all for the glory of the Lord!

 Pam is a faith-based Leadership and Personal Growth coach, a speaker, podcaster, and blogger. She is co-founder of Engage for More and with all of her heart desires to encourage you to engage Jesus and rise up and lead others to Him - in your workplace, in your community, and in your home.

If you want to answer the call to lead, check out her program, How to Engage Jesus in the Way you Lead. If you have questions, schedule a time to chat to see if this is for you. She also works one to one with clients who are ready to allow God to transform the way they lead so He can work in them and through them impacting lives for His glory.

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Resources for you…

  • Listen to Pam on the Engage for More podcast.

  • Want someone to walk alongside you? Pam is a Life & Leadership Coach. Click here and schedule a complimentary call so you can find out more.

  • Need a Speaker at your event? Pam is a sought after speaker. Reach out to her.

  • Ready to Rise Up and become the Leader God is calling your to be? Learn more about our Leadership Program.

  • Subscribe to Pam’s Leadership Newsletter, LEAD, by clicking here.

  • Visit our websites - pampegram.com and engageformore.com

  • If you are looking for a resource to help you grow more intimate with Jesus, check out Pam’s book, Saved by Grace, Now What? It is available on the MWM Marketplace and also available on Amazon.

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