Authentic Discipleship
ESV
While discipleship can refer to a follower of a specific leader, or sect, or organization, discipleship within the Christian faith involves having Jesus Christ as the leader. Discipleship to anyone or anything else other than Jesus is not within the purview of this article. The real point here is for us to answer the question: Are we His disciples? As preachers, we often seem to be master teachers to our parishioners. Therefore, isn’t it our responsibility to encourage through teaching and preaching that which prepares our hearers to live a life pleasing to God?
Today in America, it is common for many people to identify themselves as Christians yet they may rarely attend a church, read the Bible, or live a true Christian life. But can a person be a Christian without being an authentic disciple of Christ? To answer that question, we must understand what being His disciple meant to Jesus, as well as how that plays out in Christians’ lives today. For starters, let us consider the words “disciple” and “Christian.” Disciple in Greek, μαθητής, οῦ, ὁ or its transliteration mathétés, is a learner, pupil, and/or follower. It is mentioned in the New Testament 258 times, while the word “Christian” is mentioned only 3 times. Jesus not only spent time sharing what His disciples were to be and how they should live, but in one of his final post resurrection discussions, He shared with them what he meant for them to do (Matt 28:19-20).
We know that Jesus expected his followers to be true disciples, but what exactly did that mean? I believe there are scripturally valid ways in which we can determine if we are indeed His true disciples, through: Relationship, Service, and Witness.
Relationship: Discipleship in Our Lives
The call to discipleship is a call to relationship. The discipleship that Jesus Christ requires is clear: those who are convinced and committed as opposed to curious and cautious. In Luke 14, we find the discourse, “The Cost of Discipleship.” Here, Jesus was speaking to the crowds following Him (v.25). He wanted them then, as He wants us now, to know that the relationship between Him and his potential disciples must be the primary focus in their lives. One that even those closest to us cannot compare with (v.26). He goes on to say that those who do not take up their cross and follow Him cannot be His disciple.
In the first century, taking up the cross meant being willing to die. Death by the cross was degrading and excruciatingly painful. So when Jesus said, “take up your cross and follow me,” he meant being willing to die to all things and people beyond His purpose. It meant being in a constant state of opposition to the powers. So serious was a call to follow Christ that he advises those present to count up the cost before continuing to follow (v.28). The call to discipleship begins with our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That relationship with Jesus Christ requires us to follow him in word, thought, and deed—at any cost.
Many people fill churches across the world every week and many who identify themselves as Christians show little evidence of being a true disciple of Christ. So it is essential for us to know what Christ expects of us. We cannot truly follow Christ at less than full cost; otherwise, we will not be following Christ. The personal commitment and relationship is what Jesus requires, but that is not where it ends.
Service: Discipleship in Our Church
What does the simple maxim, “a tree is known by its fruit” have to do with discipleship? Since disciples try to assimilate their master’s teachings and emulate his way of life their goal is to be a close representation of the original. When we have a true relationship with Jesus Christ, we produce in a like manner. Our relationship with Him will also be displayed in our character and service to others. Anyone who is a true disciple of Christ will want to be among other like-minded disciples, even yearn to be present where Christ is celebrated.
Church is a place where Christian disciples learn to serve one another. Jesus preached, taught, healed, and served the needs of others. In order for a church to be a corporate body of disciples, it must be an institution whose function includes serving the needs of others. We cannot serve unless we are present to share our gifts, talents, resources, and love with all with whom we come in contact—just as Jesus did.
Witness—Discipleship in our Community
Jesus first calls us to discipleship by our relation with him and then through our expression of our character and service. But he also calls us to reproduce. Unless we lived during Jesus’ time on earth, we have heard the gospel through third parties. Jesus left us with the command to go and make disciples, to be intentional about building up the body of Christ. We have not been called to be undercover disciples but witnesses of Christ, beginning in our homes, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, communities and abroad (Acts 1:8).
There’s an old Black Baptist saying that asks the question: “Why go to hell by way of the church?” What that means is, why attend church regularly and miss out on the essentials of salvation? In other words, stop hiding behind the word “Christian,” and be the authentic disciples that Jesus called us to be. To be a real follower of Christ is not to pick Christ up and put him down when it is convenient. It means loving all, serving all, and sharing with all. Christ is looking not for those who call themselves Christians, but those who He can call disciples.
Who among us is an authentic disciple?
