{"id":2415,"date":"2016-01-14T23:58:25","date_gmt":"2016-01-14T23:58:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/baonline.cog7engage.net\/?p=2415"},"modified":"2023-08-29T11:19:18","modified_gmt":"2023-08-29T17:19:18","slug":"marks-of-a-disciple","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/baonline.cog7engage.net\/marks-of-a-disciple\/","title":{"rendered":"Marks of a Disciple"},"content":{"rendered":"

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are often called Christians. Jesus, however, never referred to those who followed Him as Christians; He called them disciples. The word disciple<\/em> comes from the Greek word mathetes<\/em>, which literally means \u201ca learner.\u201d A learner is not only a pupil but also an adherent to the teachings of Jesus. We prove to the world we\u2019re followers of Jesus by what we say and do, by applying what He taught to everyday life.<\/p>\n

In the Gospels, Jesus gives six marks that identify His followers as disciples. Let\u2019s examine each one.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Application<\/h2>\n

The first is applying Jesus\u2019 words to everyday life. Jesus said, \u201cIf you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free\u201d (John 8:31, 32). Disciples of Jesus put into practice what He taught. When we apply His words to life, we discover truth, and that truth sets us free from spiritual bondage.<\/p>\n

In the parable of the wise man, Jesus said, \u201cTherefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock\u201d (Matthew 7:24). When the storms of life blew, the house stood firm.<\/p>\n

Anyone can say he believes in Jesus and is a Christian. He can even call himself a disciple. But the real proof is in applying His teachings to life. Many know the Word of God, but the true disciple of Jesus Christ obeys it!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Love<\/h2>\n

The second mark that identifies disciples of Jesus is love.\u00a0In John 13:34, 35, Jesus said, \u201cA 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

The word Jesus used for\u00a0love<\/em> is agapao<\/em> \u2014 the same word that expresses God\u2019s love for humanity and for His Son (John 3:16; 17:26). We\u2019re to have this love for each other \u2014 a sacrificial and forgiving love, a love that extends to others despite their faults and failures. We must have agapao<\/em> to be called disciples of Christ.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Fruit<\/h2>\n

Another proof is our fruit \u2014 and how much we bear.\u00a0Jesus said, \u201cThis is to my Father\u2019s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples\u201d (John 15:8). It\u2019s not just fruit that identifies us as His disciples but bearing much<\/em> fruit. Though true disciples will do this, we don\u2019t all bear the same amount of fruit.<\/p>\n

In the parable of the sower, Jesus said only the good soil produced a crop (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23). This soil is the responsive hearts of His followers, and some yield a hundred times what was sown, some sixty times, some thirty times. But they all produce much<\/em> fruit! When the Holy Spirit lives within us, we produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22, 23).<\/p>\n

If we\u2019re led by the Holy Spirit, all of these fruits will be in our lives in abundance.\u00a0If we aren\u2019t producing much spiritual fruit, we need to examine ourselves and discover why. The problem is not Christ or the Spirit living within us.\u00a0The problem is whatever hinders us from being fertile soil. This third mark of discipleship is important because Christ desires His disciples to bear much fruit.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

First place<\/h2>\n

The fourth identifying mark of a disciple is making Jesus our number one priority. Is He more important than anyone or anything else in our lives? It\u2019s not good enough for Jesus to be in the top ten of what we care most about. He\u2019s not satisfied with second place.<\/p>\n

Jesus helps us understand the intensity of this priority:\u00a0\u201cIf anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple\u201d (Luke 14:26, NKJV). Jesus was not telling us to actually have feelings of hate toward family members or ourselves. He was saying that our love and commitment to Him must be much greater in comparison to the most important things in our lives: father, mother, wife, children, siblings \u2014 even ourselves.<\/p>\n

Jesus said, \u201cAnyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching\u201d\u00a0(John 14:23, 24). We may claim to love Jesus, but the proof that we love Him more than anyone or anything else is our obedience to Him. If we aren\u2019t willing to make Him our first love and priority, we cannot be His disciples.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Carrying the cross<\/h2>\n

In Luke 14:27 Jesus gave a fifth mark of a disciple: \u201cWhoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple\u201d (NASB).<\/p>\n

To carry our own cross means doing our part to grow into the character of Jesus Christ. We cannot depend on others to grow us to spiritual maturity. It\u2019s our responsibility to put the spiritual disciplines into daily practice: being in the Word, prayer, worship, and fellowship.<\/p>\n

In carrying our cross as disciples of Christ, we die daily to self, and if need be, face physical death for the sake of Christ. Some people follow Christ from a distance, not bearing the responsibility of a disciple. Real disciples of Christ, however, carry their own cross daily and follow Jesus His way.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Counting the cost<\/h2>\n

The sixth mark is in Luke 14:28-32. Jesus said if a man is going to build a tower or a king is going to war, he must first count the cost to make sure he can finish what he\u2019s started. Then Jesus made this profound statement: \u201c\u00a0<\/sup>In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples\u201d (v. 33).<\/p>\n

It\u2019s our responsibility to count the cost to see if we can completely surrender every area of our lives to Christ. We cannot fully belong to Him when we\u2019re holding something back. Surrender is giving it all to Christ.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

True disciples<\/h2>\n

Do we have the marks of disciples? Are we applying Christ\u2019s teachings, loving others, bearing much fruit? Do we love Jesus more than anyone or anything else? Are we carrying our own cross and following Him His way? Have we surrendered every area of our lives to Jesus?<\/p>\n

If we can say \u201cyes\u201d to these six marks, we\u2019re true disciples of Christ. We have earned the right to the name Christian<\/em> with the disciples who came before us \u2014 those who were called Christians<\/em> first (Acts 11:26)!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Michael Vlad <\/strong>recently retired and lives with his wife, Debbie, in the Missouri Ozarks. Scripture quotations are from the New International Version<\/em>, except where noted.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are often called Christians. Jesus, however, never referred to those who followed Him as Christians; He called them disciples. The word disciple comes from the Greek word mathetes, which literally means \u201ca learner.\u201d A learner is not only a pupil but also an adherent to the teachings of Jesus. 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