BECOMING A DISCIPLE

 BECOMING A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST 

At the feet of Jesus is my place. There, a humble apprentice, I would choose to be.

—PP Bliss

"Disciples" is the term consistently used in the four Gospels to denote the relationship between Christ and His followers. Jesus Himself used it when referring to them and among themselves. It continued to be used in the days of the new Pentecostal power, flowing through the Acts of the Apostles. It is also interesting to note that the angels considered and called these men by this name; the use of this word during the resurrection of Jesus is related to the apostolic era due to the angelic message given to the women, "Go, tell His disciples and Peter" (Mark 16:7).

It is noteworthy that the word is not found in the epistles. This can be explained by the fact that they were addressed to Christians in their collective presentation, that is, as the church, and they were referred to as members of it, while individually they were referred to as "saints" or set apart for God. The term "disciple" signifies an individual relationship, and although its usage has diminished, it still holds great value in differentiating the existing relationship between Christ and each person, encompassing every aspect of daily life. This is the perspective we wish to address in this document.

1. The word itself represents a person who is taught or trained, and it reveals a model of relationship. Jesus is the teacher. He possesses all the knowledge of God's ultimate purposes for humanity, His will for them, and the laws of God that guide their path toward final perfection.

Disciples are those who gather around the Master and are trained by Him. Seekers of truth, not only in the abstract sense but as their life's driving force, come to Him and gather with those to whom all the great secrets of true life are revealed. Sitting at His feet, they learn through the depth of His lessons, the will and ways of God for them, and as they obey every word, they become aware of the renewing strength and edifying power of those words. The perpetual and true condition of discipleship, and its ultimate goal, were clearly stated by the Lord Himself to "the Jews who believed in Him": "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples" (John 8:31).

Before considering the glorious bestowal that the Master confers upon each disciple and the high requirements that guard the entrance to discipleship, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of the true meaning of this stage of the relationship that Jesus presents to His people.

It does not stem from the message of a teacher from which men can deduce learning for themselves. It is not simply from a prophet who makes a divine pronouncement and leaves its questions unexplained. Certainly, it does not derive from an expert in a particular field, declaring his knowledge for the interest of a few, the amazement of many, and the admiration of all. It is none of these.

It comes from the Master, who possesses full knowledge, who approaches the student with a specific purpose in mind, imparting knowledge little by little, point by point, always working toward an established goal. This conception also alludes to the true ideal of our position. We are not casual listeners or merely interested spectators seeking more information; we are disciples, seeking and desiring the same end as the Master, and therefore, we listen to every word, paying attention to every detail, and exerting our will to fulfill the purpose the Master has for us. This is the ideal.

2. Now let us consider the privileges that the Master grants to those who become His disciples.

I. The establishment of relationships that make it possible for Him to teach and for us to be taught. It must be considered that sin and its resulting actions affect our ability to comprehend the teachings. Christ never becomes the teacher of those who live in sin. Sin as a real transgression in the past must be forgiven, and sin as the source of internal rebellion must be cleansed. Therefore, before He explains any portion of the Divine Law of life or reveals and develops it, He confronts this dual peculiarity of sin. For those who recognize their past sins, confess them, and turn away from them, He extends His forgiveness by pronouncing their priestly cleansing based on His own expiation on the Cross. Whoever surrenders to Him completely and unconditionally, dying to self, He bestows the blessing of being cleansed from sin.

This explanation of His dealing with us does not intend to impose a neat procedure from forgiveness to the cleansing of sin. Instead, it is a declaration of the dual function of Christ's primary work with His disciples, the granting of the initial blessing. In practical experience, men constantly, though not always and necessarily, primarily consider the former aspect. This is the result of the overwhelming and largely selfish desire for personal security, a desire that is the logical and inherent outcome of the divinely imparted instinct of self-preservation. However, primarily for the glory of God, they should immediately seek to understand the deeper side of the blessing of being cleansed. But the patience of the Master is evident even in our foolishness. He forgives and graciously waits for us to look at Him again and say, "Master, there is so much more than just forgiveness in Your cross," and then He allows us to grasp His power to cleanse us. Truly, there can be no discipleship without an understanding of this double blessing. Beyond this, there is the dullness of our understanding, our inability to grasp the truths He is declaring. It is through the gift of the Holy Spirit that we can comprehend the teachings of the Master. What an invaluable gift this is! The most obtuse understanding can be, and is, deeply transformed and receptive to spiritual things through the arrival of the Holy Spirit.

Thus, He Himself provides and creates the relationship of communion through cleansing and knowledge by means of the indwelling of the Spirit, who constitutes our ability to comprehend what He has to teach.

II. Another great privilege to consider is that Jesus' teaching is practical teaching. He provides opportunities for us to put His taught truths into practice in our daily lives. This is an essential part of His method, which we will delve into in another topic. It is evidence of His abundant grace, demonstrated in the practical details of the lessons He teaches, which originate directly from Him and are under His personal guidance.

3. Now, what conditions must I fulfill to be a disciple? I would say, an endowment of forgiveness, cleansing, and enlightenment. How can this be? No other human school has been so strictly guarded or so selective, yet none has been so accessible for admission. There are no exceptions based on race, complexion, social status, or age. The entirety of humanity forms its primary audience. And yet, due to the importance of the truths being revealed and the need to fully engage the human will in understanding and applying these truths, Jesus stands at the entrance, prohibiting anyone who does not meet the three conditions He himself establishes: (1) "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:26). (2) "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:27). (3)

My name is Cesar and I am A Voice In The Desert 

www.avoiceinthedesert.net