The True Disciple of Jesus
In today’s times many people claim to be disciples of Jesus.
You cannot turn on the radio, television, or read the newspaper without someone claiming to be a follower or disciple of Jesus Christ; this would be a good thing if only it were true.
So what does it take to be a disciple of Jesus?
It is written,” Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” Matthew 16:24-27
According to this passage of scripture, we are to no longer live for ourselves but to submit and to live our lives for God’s purpose.
True disciples of God understand this and nothing comes before God for it is written, “And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:25-27
Jesus says that true discipleship requires us to bear our cross and bearing a cross is hard work for it is written, “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsakes not all that he has, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33
No attachment to this world, nothing in this world being more important than God for it is written,” Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abides forever.” 1st John 2:15-17
Jesus true disciples understood this mind set for it is written, “Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that has left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.” Luke 18:28-30
No attachment to money or material things, no attachment to people above God, no attachment to your own life here on earth, is what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus for it is written, “And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou go. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has not where to lay his head. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:57-62
True discipleship looks like this, for it is written, “ the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborers is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaves on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.” Luke 10:1-12
We are sent into an evil world full of wolves, we are not to become wolves but to remain as lambs which are protected by the Shepard Jesus Christ.
We are to show love to all that we come in contact with and if we are received by them we are to heal their sick by sharing the word of God with them.
Some will not receive our message and we will be rejected by the world as well as religious people for it is written, “The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?” Matthew 10:24-25
The religious leaders of that time did not agree with Jesus message and call him the devil and neither will the religious leaders of today agree with the truth of the Gospel and call you a devil also.
Be strong brothers and sisters for Jesus promised us eternal life if we walk as a true disciple.
Until next time I love you.
Minister Lamar F. Porter
Most High God Ministries
4/15/2012
