Discipled by Jesus – Abide in the Vine

Recently, former procrastinators, I’ve been thinking about the Bible as the most amazing written communication ever.  I look at my Bible in awe and overwhelming gratitude.  Then consider this: Jesus Himself is the most amazing communication ever.  Of all time, beyond time.  Jesus is the ultimate expression of God’s love, mercy, forgiveness, righteousness, promise of life now and to come.  Jesus is the ultimate message of truth and hope from God the Father to His own.

When we really understand this astounding message wrapped in flesh, we are compelled to follow Him.  We’re privileged to get to know Him, to grow like Him.  His Spirit draws, convicts, reveals, calls, empowers us to follow Him.  We see, perceive, and act on the truth of who Jesus is.  “Awe” and “overwhelming gratitude” are insufficient words.

Let’s reexamine the five traits Jesus Himself said characterize His disciples, His learners.  These  followers are not running ahead of Jesus or lagging behind in the crowd that drifts behind Him.  These people are walking so close to Jesus that “the dust from His sandals gets on their feet.”

1.  “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”  Luke 14:27
   The disciple dies to self and lives sacrificially for Jesus.   He’s able to do this because Christ lives in him.  Galatians 2:20, Romans 12:1-2
   
   
2. “So, therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”  Luke 14:3
   The disciple prioritizes Jesus, putting Him first.  Paul said he counted all he’d lost as dung compared to knowing Christ.  (Philippians 3:8 KJV)  In contrast, the rich young ruler held his earthly wealth in higher regard than he did Jesus. (Matthew 19:16-30) I John 2:15
   
   
3. “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples…”  John 8:31
   The disciple seeps himself in scripture.  He makes decisions according to scripture and lives by its principles.  Joshua was admonished to mediate on the law day and night and be careful to do what it said.  Then he would have good success.  Joshua 1:8
   
   
4. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”   John 13:35
   The disciple shows acts of costly concern for fellow believers.  A friend says “Serving others is always inconvenient.”  But the disciple walks in the light and is willing to pay the cost.  1 John 3:14-15
   
   
5. “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”  John 15:8
   Life with Christ transforms the disciple.  His Holy Spirit bears character fruit within him and moves through the disciple to influence others so they’re also drawn to Jesus and make more disciples.  John 15:16, Romans 7:4.

Discipleship is not a matter of checking boxes but of heart transformation that brings glory to God.  Jesus thinks these are important for that.

Which characteristic is the Lord speaking to you about?