The Three Marks of a Disciple

Luke 14:33

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Jesus has called us to be disciples. The Word disciple means someone who (1.) believes his doctrine, (2.) rests on his sacrifice, (3.)  Absorbs his spirit, and (4.) imitates his example.  Someone who receives the doctrine and precepts and adheres to what he has received. For that to be accomplished that person in individual has to for sake all.

The first mark of a disciple is wonder continues in the Word.

John 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

They do not just hear the Word but they live the Word.  They do not mold the Word to fit their lives but they mold their lives to fit the Word. They continue to obey my commandments and to receive my doctrines.  The true disciple realizes is not enough to receive God’s truth – we must retain and walk in it. And it is only when we receive the truth, love it, keep it, and walk in it, that we are the genuine Disciples of Christ.

John chapter six shows us the difference between a true disciple and just a hearer of the Word.

John 6:26  Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

John 6:54-66  Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.  (55)  For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.  (56)  He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.  (57)  As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.  (58)  This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.  (59)  These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.  (60)  Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?  (61)  When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?  (62)  What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?  (63)  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.  (64)  But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.  (65)  And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.  (66)  From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

The second mark of the true disciple is wonder who loves.

John 13:35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

1 John 4:7-9 &11  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.  (8)  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.    (11)  Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

1 John 4:20-21  If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?  (21)  And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

1 John 5:2-3  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.  (3)  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Matthew 5:44  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

The third Mark of a disciple is that we therefore fruit.

John 15:8  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

We are going to reproduce for the glory of Jesus.

Mark 4:20  And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

Even the good ground can have thorns and thistles and rocks if it is not tended to. We are told to bear much fruit; of doctrine, grace, and good works, which show them to be trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, and the work of his hands; wherein the glory of his power, grace, and mercy, is greatly displayed.

Matthew 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Freedom Restricted Becomes Power

No horse gets anyone anywhere until he’s harnessed, no steam or gas drives anything until it is confined, no Niagara ever turns anything into light or power until it is tunneled, no life ever does great things it is until focused, dedicated, and disciplined.  So we will not be what God wants us to be until we are his disciples because Christian discipleship implies progress and growth.