What Is A Disciple? * Someone who continues in Jesus' Word.
JOHN 8:31 NKJ
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.God's Word is the input that makes you like Jesus, and guides you in the way you should go. To be Jesus' disciple, you must continue in God's Word, and live in it.
* Someone who becomes like the teacher.
LUKE 6:40 NKJ
40 "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.A disciple is supposed to end up as a duplicate of Jesus Christ.
ROMANS 8:29 NKJ
29 . . . He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.The end result of being a disciple should be a reproduction of the teacher, who will do the same things the teacher did.
JOHN 14:12 NKJ
12 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.We are supposed to train people, by example, to do all that Jesus commanded His original disciples.
MATTHEW 28:20 NKJ
20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you . . . ."A disciple is similar to an apprentice.
Disciples are what we should be producing through our evangelism -- not just converts inoculated with a little bit of Jesus.
* Someone who loves.
JOHN 13:35 NKJ
35 "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."Walking in love is not natural for an unsaved person. When you were born again you received a new nature. The love of God is in your heart (Romans 5:5). To exercise that divine nature and walk in it fully, requires continuing commitment and effort.
* Someone who renounces all rights.
LUKE 14:33 NKJ
33 "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.Jesus does not require you to forsake all literally, to begin following Him, but you must be ready to. (For example see John 20:10.)
To be Jesus' disciple, you must be ready and willing to give up anything, including your life. Jesus is Lord -- not you!
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