CAN YOU DEFINE TRUE DISCIPLESHIP
pt one
Jesus, who just happens to be the foremost authority on Christianity, gave us the true definition of a Christian- a believer in Him saved from hell and bound for heaven-as one who is spiritually reborn.
In a discussion with Nicodemus, the Master said, “Except ye be born again, ye cannot see..(or) enter the kingdom of God.” John 3:3,5.
He stressed His point by adding “Marvel not that I say unto thee, Ye must be born again.” vs. 7.
Later on in the ministry of Jesus he described the same process of new birth as a “conversion” experience: “Except ye be converted…ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3
In the new birth, or conversion, a spiritual regeneration with eternal effect occurs.
After this eternal change takes place, the newly birthed Christian has a choice to make.
Will the new creation commit to discipleship, or remain content to merely be a saved soul?
In order to better understand the choice, let us look at the definition of being a disciple of Jesus Christ.
A disciple is a self-disciplined one.
Just as the English words, “disciple” and “discipline” are derived from very similar Latin words, (discipulus, alumno) so every disciple then must be a person of discipline.
He must enter into a regimen of life whereby all his powers, spiritual, physical, and mental are focused on a newly ordered, biblical way of living.
Why?
He wants to fully please and serve his Master.
The lazy, self-indulgent Christian will never be a disciple.
A disciple is a student of Christ.
The word used almost exclusively in the Greek writings that indicate disciple is mathetes, which means, “a learner, pupil, or student.”
Christians who refuse to study the Bible cannot be disciples.
In the first century, “disciples” were young men totally committed to learning the teachings of a particular Jewish rabbi (or Greek teacher or philosopher) and at the same time embracing his lifestyle and living in the same manner.
Why?
The student aspired to one day be like him, live like him, and teach like him.
Christians who learn Jesus teachings but refuse to live them cannot be disciples.
Who have you chosen to follow?,,,,,,,,and we all must choose.
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About Me
- Ron Krebbs D.D.
- I was born in 1954, I was fully reborn in 1987, after a long struggle of knowing the truth and yet embracing a lie. The lie is that you can claim Christ and yet live as though you don't know Him. In the midst of the struggle came to me a voice, whether audible or internal I do not know and it does not matter, it became the defining moment of my life. The voice stated that in regards to the struggle that "It is just between you and me". Those who were my friends and those whom I offended, will not stand in judgment of me or any of us. Only how we live out our lives in regards to who Jesus Christ is, to us personally will matter in the day of judgment. The voice gave me the courage and the faith to turn fully in His direction and seek repentance for all of the times that my life had denied His reality.
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