The Terms of Discipleship

True Christianity is a total commitment to the Lord Jesus ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More.

The Savior is not looking for men and women who will give Him their free evenings, their weekends or their years of retirement. Rather, He is looking for those who will give Him first place in their lives. He is looking today, as He has always looked, not for crowds drifting aimlessly in His path, but for individual men and women whose undying loyalty will spring from their recognition that He wants those who are willing to follow the path of self-renunciation that He has trodden before them.

Nothing less than unconditional surrender could ever be a fitting response to His sacrificeA sacrifice/offering to God (or deities in pagan religions) that differed in occasion, purpose, and form. The most important sacrifices required by the Old Testament law include burnt offerings, grain... More on Calvary. Love so amazing, so divine, could never be satisfied with anything less than our souls, our lives, our all.

The Lord Jesus made strict demands on those who would be His disciples – demands that are all but overlooked in this day of luxurious living. Too often we see Christianity as an escape from hell"Place" prepared for the devil and his angels (demons) (Mt 25:41), but into which everyone whose name is not written in the Book of Life will also be thrown (Rev... More and a guarantee of heaven. Beyond that, we feel we have every right to enjoy the best this life has to offer. We know that there are these powerful verses about discipleshipDiscipleship is a commandment of the Lord Jesus for His own (Mk 2:14). In discipleship, we follow the Lord Jesus in obedience; He is our authority. It means sharing His... More in the Bible, but we have trouble reconciling them with our ideas of what Christianity should be.

We can accept the fact that soldiers give their lives for patriotic reasons. We do not find it strange that communists give their lives for political reasons. But that "blood, sweat, and tears" should characterize the life of a follower of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More seems somehow distant and hard to grasp.

And yet the words of the Lord Jesus are clear enough. There is little room for misunderstanding if we take them at face value. Here are the conditions of discipleshipDiscipleship is a commandment of the Lord Jesus for His own (Mk 2:14). In discipleship, we follow the Lord Jesus in obedience; He is our authority. It means sharing His... More as laid down by the Savior of the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More:

1. A supreme love for Jesus ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More

"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My discipleDisciples are students and followers. Examples are disciples of the Lord (Mt 8:23), of John (Mt 11:2), and of the Pharisees (Mt 22:16). A disciple learns from his teacher, abides... More" (Luke 14:26). This does not mean that we should ever have animosity or resentment in our hearts toward our relatives, but it does mean that our love for Christ should be so great that all other loves are hatred in comparison. Actually, the most difficult clause in this passage is the phrase, "yes, and his own life also”. Self-love is one of the most stubborn obstacles to discipleshipDiscipleship is a commandment of the Lord Jesus for His own (Mk 2:14). In discipleship, we follow the Lord Jesus in obedience; He is our authority. It means sharing His... More. Only when we are willing to lay down our lives for Him are we where He wants us to be.´

2. A denial of self

"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself" (Matthew 16:24). Denying oneself is not the same as self-denial. The latter means giving up certain foods, pleasures, or possessions. But denial of self means such complete submission to the Lordship of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More that self has no rights or authority whatsoever. It means that self abdicates the throne. It is expressed in the words of Henry Martyn: "Lord, let me have no will of my own, or look upon my true happiness as depending in the least degree upon anything that may happen to me outwardly, but as consisting wholly in conformity to Thy will.

3. A conscious choice of the cross

"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross… " (Matthew 16:24). The cross is not some physical infirmity or mental anguish; these things are common to all people. The cross is a way that is consciously chosen. It is a way that, as far as this worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More is concerned, is a way of shame and reproach. The cross symbolizes the shame, persecution, and abuse that the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More heaped upon the Son of GodThe term "Son of God" in the singular always refers to the Lord Jesus. On the one hand, He is the only begotten (unique) and eternal Son of God, who... More and that the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More will heap upon all who choose to stand against the tide. Any believer can avoid the cross by simply conforming to the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More and its ways.

4. A life spent following ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More

"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me" (Matthew 16:24). To understand what this means, simply ask yourself, "What characterized the life of the Lord Jesus?" It was a life of obedience to the will of God. It was a life lived in the power of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More. It was a life of selfless service to others. It was a life of patience and longsuffering in the face of the greatest injustice. It was a life of zeal, sacrificeA sacrifice/offering to God (or deities in pagan religions) that differed in occasion, purpose, and form. The most important sacrifices required by the Old Testament law include burnt offerings, grain... More, self-control, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness, and dedication (Galatians 5:22, 23). To be His disciples, we must walk as He walked. We must display the fruit of Christlikeness (John 15:8).

5. A fervent love for all who belong to ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More

"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). This is the love that values others more than oneself. It is the love that suffers long and is kind. It does not boast or get puffed up. It does not behave unseemly, does not seek its own, is not easily provoked, and thinks no evil. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Without this love, discipleshipDiscipleship is a commandment of the Lord Jesus for His own (Mk 2:14). In discipleship, we follow the Lord Jesus in obedience; He is our authority. It means sharing His... More would be a cold, legalistic asceticism.

6. An unwavering continuance in His Word

"If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed" (John 8:31). For true discipleshipDiscipleship is a commandment of the Lord Jesus for His own (Mk 2:14). In discipleship, we follow the Lord Jesus in obedience; He is our authority. It means sharing His... More, there must be continuity. It is easy enough to start well, to burst forth in a blaze of glory. But the test of reality is perseverance to the end. Anyone who looks back after putting his hand to the plow is not fit for the kingdom of GodEssentially, it refers to the same thing as the kingdom of heaven, whereby it is less about a period and more about the moral characteristics of the kingdom. God is... More (Luke 9:62). Spasmodic obedience to Scripture will not suffice. ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More wants those who will follow Him in constant, unquestioning obedience.

7. A forsaking of all to follow Him.

"So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My discipleDisciples are students and followers. Examples are disciples of the Lord (Mt 8:23), of John (Mt 11:2), and of the Pharisees (Mt 22:16). A disciple learns from his teacher, abides... More" (Luke 14:33). This may be the most unpopular of all Christ's discipleshipDiscipleship is a commandment of the Lord Jesus for His own (Mk 2:14). In discipleship, we follow the Lord Jesus in obedience; He is our authority. It means sharing His... More conditions, and it may well turn out to be the most unpopular verse in the Bible. Clever theologians can give you a thousand reasons why it does not mean what it says, but simple disciples eagerly swallow it, assuming that the Lord Jesus knew what He was saying. What does it mean to leave everything? It means to give up all one's material possessions that are not absolutely necessary and that could be used to spread the gospel. The man who forsakes all does not become a lazy sluggard; he worksAnother word for deeds or actions. God's works are perfect (Gen 1:31), men's can be good works (Matt 5:16) or dead (Heb 6:1). On the basis of his works, unbelieving... More hard to provide for the present needs of his family and himself. But because the passion of his life is to advance the cause of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More, he invests everything above present needs in the work of the Lord, leaving the future to God. Seeking first the kingdom of GodEssentially, it refers to the same thing as the kingdom of heaven, whereby it is less about a period and more about the moral characteristics of the kingdom. God is... More and His righteousness, he believes he will never lack food or clothing. He cannot conscientiously keep surplus funds when souls are perishing for lack of the gospel. He does not want to waste his life accumulating riches that will fall into the devil's hands when ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More returns for His saints. He wants to obey the Lord's command not to lay up treasure on earth. By giving up everything, he offers what he cannot keep anyway and what he has ceased to love.

These, then, are the seven conditions of Christian discipleshipDiscipleship is a commandment of the Lord Jesus for His own (Mk 2:14). In discipleship, we follow the Lord Jesus in obedience; He is our authority. It means sharing His... More. They are clear and unambiguous. Confessing our past failures, let us boldly face the claims of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More upon us and seek henceforth to be true disciples of our glorious Lord.