The Simple Version of Discipleship

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

John 8:31 & 32 - ³¹Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;  ³²And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 

Matthew 16:24 - 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. 

Step 12 in Alcoholics Anonymous says: "Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”   

When we come to recognize our need for God in our lives, when we come to terms that we have been bought with a price, we receive freedom from bondage of obsessions and worrisome habits. The joy of understanding the love of God and His only begotten Son who died for our freedom creates a natural desire to be affiliated with the Author of this freedom. When we continue in Jesus’ word, then we are disciples indeed. When we have love for our fellowman, the world shall know we are God’s disciples.  

The agenda is not ours. We are not called to create a “Day Plan”.  In fact, we have now been called to throw away the “Day Plan”. 

When we love our fellowman, some takeaways are a genuine concern, and expression of this concern. There will be emotional connection. However, the key is a heartfelt wish for their wellbeing. The Christ-love will be sensitive to listening with full attention for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. This love is not “buddy” love. This love is platonic love. 

Vocubulary.com defines ‘platonic’ as “a relationship that is purely spiritual and not physical”. In my mind the term ‘spiritual’ may be further defined as “heartfelt”. 

This is truly a necessary component. This allows a full sharing of hearts, while not needing to be in full agreement. It allows healthy boundaries to be established. It also allows us to recognize with clear vision that WE are not our fellow person’s salvation. WE are disciples of the one who offerssalvation. 

Mankind who is searching and looking for rescue from unpleasant circumstances is often somewhat like a drowning person. They will grasp onto a finger. Soon have the hand and proceed from there. Troubled people are often very manipulative, and before you know it you are buying their lunch and promising to meet again on Thursday night. There is no reason not to buy lunch or meet Thursday. The reason to remain clearheaded is because we are the Lord’s disciples. Not the Lord. We are pointing others to the Lord. Love for those around us does not compel us to be exuberant, over-the-top, in-your-face ambassadors. 

We have been gifted, by birth, a DNA that is all ours. King David in Psalm 139 draws a beautiful picture of our relationship with God.  

Psalm 139:14 - I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.  

Imagine! We are disciples who know full well that we were marvellously made! This takes all the stress out of our love-tanks that we are to share with those around us. So, whether we are extrovert or introvert, shy or outgoing, when we reflect the Love of Christ we will not be misunderstood! 

Quiet, alone time is as important a part as active “on-the-street” work of sharing our love. It is in the alone time where our understanding of the Great Shepherd’s will comes.  Not in the fire. Not in the earthquake. Not in the windstorm. But, in a still small voice.  

I Kings 19:12 & 13 - ¹²After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. ¹³When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 

In conclusion, we are simply to work and be faithful, keeping our eyes on him who we are called to represent.