READ: LUKE
14:25-33
Who is
disciple? A disciple is a disciplined follower, one whose life is controlled by
the teachings of his Master. John 14:15 says: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
John 15:14 states: “You are My friends, if you do whatsoever I command you.”
These two verses talk about two classes of Jesus’ followers. The first class are those who because they love Jesus, obey him when it is convenient. But when an issue goes against their personal desires, they find it difficult to obey him. The second class are those who have gone beyond the first class. They have demonstrated their love for Jesus to a point that they trust him absolutely and have become his friends. They obey any command that comes from the Master, any time and always, whether convenient or not. They are in total submission to his will. These are his true disciples.
Beyond doing what his Master says, a true disciple will obey his master even when he is convinced that the object of the assignment is wrong. Peter failed in this regard. In Acts 4:19-20, Peter said they could not but speak what they had heard. In Acts 5:29-32, Peter also said they would rather obey God than man. But in Acts 10:9-23, God asked Peter to kill and eat unclean animals.
Peter quickly responded, ‘No Lord, you taught me in your Word that these were unclean animals and they must never be eaten by a Jew.’ Then God said, ‘True Peter, but I am beginning a new and glorious dispensation. I have sanctified these so they are no longer unclean. You can take them.’ This happened thrice. Peter was sure this was his Lord speaking, yet he refused to obey. Although he later went to Cornelius’ house, he never became what he was destined to become. God wanted to promote him from a potential Apostle of the Jews to the Apostle of the Gentiles. Paul, who was ready to do anything for the Master, ended up declining that position. Do you really want to be a disciple of Christ? Then you must drop those issues where you are still struggling with the Lord. You must surrender fully to him and let your obedience be complete.
These two verses talk about two classes of Jesus’ followers. The first class are those who because they love Jesus, obey him when it is convenient. But when an issue goes against their personal desires, they find it difficult to obey him. The second class are those who have gone beyond the first class. They have demonstrated their love for Jesus to a point that they trust him absolutely and have become his friends. They obey any command that comes from the Master, any time and always, whether convenient or not. They are in total submission to his will. These are his true disciples.
Beyond doing what his Master says, a true disciple will obey his master even when he is convinced that the object of the assignment is wrong. Peter failed in this regard. In Acts 4:19-20, Peter said they could not but speak what they had heard. In Acts 5:29-32, Peter also said they would rather obey God than man. But in Acts 10:9-23, God asked Peter to kill and eat unclean animals.
Peter quickly responded, ‘No Lord, you taught me in your Word that these were unclean animals and they must never be eaten by a Jew.’ Then God said, ‘True Peter, but I am beginning a new and glorious dispensation. I have sanctified these so they are no longer unclean. You can take them.’ This happened thrice. Peter was sure this was his Lord speaking, yet he refused to obey. Although he later went to Cornelius’ house, he never became what he was destined to become. God wanted to promote him from a potential Apostle of the Jews to the Apostle of the Gentiles. Paul, who was ready to do anything for the Master, ended up declining that position. Do you really want to be a disciple of Christ? Then you must drop those issues where you are still struggling with the Lord. You must surrender fully to him and let your obedience be complete.
MEMORIZE:
JOHN 15:14 –You are My friends, if you do whatsoever I command you.
