A True Disciple
A disciple is a person who learns and follows a master; in our case, it is somebody who follows Jesus Christ. To follow Him is not limited to just being a church member, it is going beyond that. It means to obey, to serve and to worship Him the same way He worshiped His Father. For us a high spiritual cost is implied because it requires a full spiritual conversion, and for that reason, it is difficult to accomplish. It means that we deny ourselves and become conscious that we leave our old way of life. “And He said to all, ‘If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.’” (Luke 9:23 ESV) In other words, we need to say to ourselves, “I no longer know you.” We need to leave our huge egos and decide to take on a cross with sufferings, being faithful to Jesus. The key is to stay with Him in the midst of the vicissitudes that we are experiencing not only with the pandemic but also with the chaotic world.
God gave us a life to enjoy with Christ while loving Him and all others. He is faithful and His promises have great rewards because we live in His kingdom, and because we are saved and have everlasting life, a wonderful daybreak awaits us after the “sunset” of our lives on earth.
When we walk along Jesus’ path we’ll find many crosses that we should carry, even if we suffer. With faith in our Lord everything is possible and it is the price we pay for our discipleship. When somebody ignores the cross, it means they are not yet a true disciple. Everybody needs to understand that it is not only necessary to be at church on Sundays or any other day that we have available, but the most important issue is your total conversion and devotion to God. You will be new when a new Spirit is born in you. “Jesus answered. ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit.’” (John 3:5-6 ESV)
The true disciple is born again and is going to live consciously with new principles that will lead his steps in this world with a new love and new goals that the Holy Spirit reveals in us. We are definitely not the same as we used to be before knowing and accepting Christ. These changes will often be recognized slowly because the world will confront us trying to push us away from Jesus’ way. It will not be instant like the digital world has convinced us things should be. It will not depend on how many works we do for Him or in the titles or academic degrees we have. Everything will change when we give our lives to Jesus-leaving everything in His hands. The Holy Spirit will come from heaven and will guide us to the place we are going at the end of this earthy life.
Our salvation is connected to discipleship. A true disciple abandons himself and joins himself to God. If we truly accept Jesus, we will never be ashamed to be one of His disciples or to follow the Gospel that has been revealed to us. To God will be all the Glory.
May God bless you.
