A Disciple of Jesus

“You can put a shoe into an oven, but that doesn’t make it a biscuit.” 

A shoe in an oven is not a biscuit.
Are you a disciple?

Below you'll find four characteristics of a disciple.

The Great Commission states that we must go and make disciples of all the nations. I’ve said many times that we must seek to make disciples. It is not enough to baptize people if we do not teach them to follow Jesus. Many people do a disservice to others because they are too quick to immerse them without helping them build a relationship first. This leads to many problems after their conversion. It also leads to people leaving the faith. They would have been better off if we just left them alone rather than avoid teaching them to be disciples! (See 2 Peter 2:20.) Of course, it is best to take the time to help people become a disciple. Too many avoid this. 

That brings me to a question to consider: Are you a disciple of Christ? If you are a Christian reading this, you are one because someone took the time to follow that commission. If most people do not do well making disciples, doesn't it stand to reason that you might not have been taught to be a disciple? When you were converted, did people take the time to help you learn how to be a disciple? Did they guide you in the process of thought required to be a disciple of Jesus? Does it even matter how you answer? Yes. It does matter. 

You can attend class without being a student. 

You can follow Jesus without being His disciple. 

Consider 2 Timothy 3:5. Do you have a “form of godliness”? In other words, have you been taught to present yourself as righteous on the outside without concern over the matters on the inside? Sometimes people will become Christians to escape their pasts without concern for following Him in the future. 

Think about these 4 characteristics of a disciple and weigh yourself fairly: 

1. A disciple lives close to Jesus. His thoughts and heart are never far from God.

2. A disciple earnestly seeks the teachings of Jesus. 

3. A disciple willingly and readily suffers for Jesus. 

That does not apply to the “big stuff” only. It applies to the emotional cost of denying a friend or denying self in favor of our Lord’s wishes. 

4. A disciple seeks to reflect the attitudes and love of Jesus to others. 

No one is the best disciple he can be, but you need to look closely at yourself and answer the question: Are you a disciple?