Disciples
By Ed Wrather
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:31-32.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7.
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. - Joshua 1:8.
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. - Hebrews 10:24-25.
What is a disciple? Dictionary.com gives this definition: "a person who is a pupil or an adherent of the doctrines of another; follower." The term disciple is derived from a New Testament Greek word coming to English through the Latin discipulus meaning "a learner." The English word "disciple" comes from the word discipline. Merriam-Webster defines the word discipline as, "training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character; control gained by enforcing obedience or order;" and also as "orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior."
Most successful people in this world learn at some point in time that the disciplined life is the easiest life you can live and that the disciplined life is the easiest load you can carry. Who enjoys life the most? Is the one who enjoys life the most a person whose life is out of control? Or, is the one who enjoys life the most the person who has discipline? Millions of dollars are made every day by casinos, liquor stores, bars, drug dealers, and porn sellers. Those dollars are taken from those whose lives are out of control, who have little discipline in their lives. Because their lives are out of control, without discipline, they are carrying a heavy burden.
Who is going to have the abundant life that Jesus talks about in John 10:10? It is the person who will take the yoke of the Lord Jesus upon themselves. It is the person who will come under the Lord's discipline. It will be the person for whom Jesus is Lord and not just a fire insurance policy.To be a true disciple of Jesus, we must come under His discipline. What are some of those disciplines?
1. Prayer is one of those Christian disciplines. Who has the lightest load? People who pray, or those who don't?
2. Bible study is a discipline. Who lives with more peace? Those who know the promises of God or those who are ignorant of God's promises and of the power of God's Word?
3. Going to church is a Christian discipline. The Bible says in Hebrews 10, "... not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is." When we assemble together, we know we have worshiped God and have established relationships with people of God who will be there when life's burdens must be carried. When we assemble with other believers "love and good works" are stirred up in our lives.
Our burden is made lighter when we accept these disciplines and become true disciples of our Lord. As the apostle Paul says in Romans 12:2, ".do not be conformed to this world."
Used with Permission
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