Being a Faithful Disciple Today

Discipleship of the Lord Jesus Christ today is based upon the same principles as it was in the days of Jesus. The word “disciple” primarily means one who is a learner and carries the idea of following the one who teaches. It incorporates not just the idea of receiving instruction, but of learning to perform for one’s self what the teacher has taught. It necessitates following the example set by the teacher, and the Lord was the greatest teacher the world has ever seen. He expected nothing less than total commitment from those who wanted to be his disciples (Luke 14:25–33), for discipleship requires transformation in our lives. We see in the lives of men like Peter and Paul that they followed him joyfully and in this they are great examples to us.

Discipleship today requires a daily dedication to follow the teaching and example of our Lord in all our ways. Disciples have the consolation of sharing their walk with others of the same faith by meeting with them to worship God and discuss the Bible together. By this means they can help one another to prepare for that glorious day when the Lord shall return from heaven to reward his faithful servants. To those who have patiently and faithfully served him in his absence he will say: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34).

Daily Reading of the Bible

The Lord Jesus Christ draws our attention to this very important lesson when he quotes Deuteronomy 8:3: “Man doth not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live”. Daily reading of the Bible is as essential for the disciple of Christ as his daily bread. Because the disciple has been “begotten” by the word of God, then it is his wisdom to draw spiritual nourishment from it every day to ensure steady and healthy growth. This is how Christ is to be seen living in him. David describes the blessedness of the man who, turning from the company of the ungodly, delights himself “in the law of the LORD, and in his law doth he meditate day and night” (Psalm 1).

It is through personal reading and meditation on the Bible that the disciple will be strengthened in that “inward man” (Romans 7:22). He will feel the need, too, to gather with others who also believe the same true Gospel and be encouraged by the mutual joy that comes from sharing the same hope in Christ. God is pleased to see His children delighting to talk one to the other about His word and His ways, as the prophet Malachi tells us: “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him” (Malachi 3:16–17).

Continuing in Prayer

One of the great privileges that the newly baptised disciple now has is access to God in prayer through the Lord Jesus Christ who, at the right hand of God, mediates as High Priest on his behalf to forgive his sins (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25).

However, although without baptism into Christ there is no forgiveness of sins, it is important to remember that God does hear the prayers of those who are seeking to know and understand His ways and serve Him. We have the example of Cornelius who regularly prayed to God and so Peter was sent to show him the way of salvation through Jesus Christ (Acts 10:1–6). We also read of Lydia and her household who were people of prayer and God brought Paul to Philippi that they might hear the truth of the Gospel (Acts 16:13). Both Cornelius and Lydia and their households were baptised after hearing the Gospel (Acts 10:48; 16:14–15).

The disciple can learn to develop in prayer by meditating upon some of the prayers that are recorded in the Bible. The prayers of faithful men and women are instructive and we can quite often see our own needs mirrored in their prayers. Many have received strength and comfort from prayers like Psalm 23. The apostle Paul continually prayed for the groups of believers that he knew. An example of this is recorded in Colossians 1:9–14, which is worthy of consideration for it helps us see how to pray for others.

Jesus’ disciples asked him on one occasion to teach them how to pray. The result was the wonderful prayer that has been commonly called “the Lord’s Prayer” that sets a pattern for us to follow in our own prayers (Luke 11:1–4; cp the fuller detail in Matthew 6:7–15). However, Jesus warned against repetition through reciting prayers when the mind and heart are not involved. He said: “When ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him” (Matthew 6:7).

Not only will the disciple of Christ approach God to praise Him and seek for daily guidance and care, but he will also express thanks to Him for the many blessings he receives. Jesus gives us an example of giving thanks for food before eating when he fed the multitude: “He took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude” (Matthew 15:36; see also John 6:11; Acts 27:35; 1 Timothy 4:3–4). There are also times when the disciple will offer specific requests for help for himself or others in difficult circumstances, but he must recognise that he can only pray according to God’s will. God knows what is best for us more than we do ourselves and may not always grant our requests. It is in this confidence that he will follow Paul’s instruction—“in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6). Seeing both the need and the privilege of prayer he will “continue in prayer” (Colossians 4:2).

Seeking Forgiveness of Sins

The disciple, having been baptised and manifesting a zeal to serve God and forsake his former way of thinking and behaviour, soon realises that his desire to serve God is again marred by sin. The sad reality is forced upon him that he still bears that same flesh and blood nature with all its weakness and sinful promptings. His past sins were forgiven at baptism, but alas, he has again sinned. The apostle Paul, like all disciples of the Lord, was frustrated by this reality. He found that, although his desire was to serve his Lord in fullness, sin deceived him and he fell (Romans 7:18–24). Yet Paul knew that all was not therefore lost and rejoiced in God’s wonderful provision of a Saviour and Mediator: “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (v25). What comfort there is in knowing that “we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1–2), and “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

So the disciple will be very aware of his continuing need for forgiveness that he might find favour with God. This was part of that model prayer which the Lord taught his disciples (Matthew 6:12). Like King David, he will pray that God will lead him “in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3; Matthew 6:13).

Preaching the Gospel

The word “Gospel” means “good news” or “to proclaim good news”. The message of salvation from sin and death and the coming Kingdom to be set up on earth is indeed “good news”. Jesus told the disciples: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel [or good news] to every creature. He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved” (Mark 16:15–16). Once a person heard and understood this “good news” and believed and obeyed it by being baptised, they rejoiced in the new relationship they now had with God and Christ. There was then a strong desire to share this “good news” with others so that they too might share the hope of the Gospel .

This is how Christianity spread so swiftly throughout the Roman Empire - as believers multiplied they told the “good news” or Gospel to others. Paul, for example, tells how the believers in Thessalonica broadcast the word of God in the areas about them: “From you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad (1 Thessalonians 1:8). This same spirit will be seen in those disciples today who have come to believe and obey the Gospel. They will tell others of the wonderful hope that God has offered through Jesus Christ, and assist them to understand the message of the Bible.

In summary, when temptation arises or we are faced with making a decision, one of the simple questions we can ask ourselves is: “If Jesus Christ were with me now, would I do this? Or, would I go where they have asked me to go? Would I expect Jesus to be at a place like this? Would I be happy to sit and watch this film or read this book, if Jesus were with me?” Discipleship has to be as practical as that.

Paul puts it this way: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1–2). The disciple has died to the old ways of the flesh in baptism, and is now risen with Christ. Our mind, Paul says, should be in that most holy atmosphere where Jesus is at the right hand of God.

Paul says “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God not conformed to this world: but transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:1–2). We need to have our mind centred on wholesome and profitable things that are pleasing to God.

In conclusion, let us take Paul’s advice: “Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honourable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:5–8 ASV).

Adapted from “The Exploring the Bible Course” by David Evans