What Does It Mean To Be A Disciple

Ross Greer turned us to Romans chapter 12 to consider what it means for a Christian to be a disciple. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, He should expect to be given our all. We are to be a 'living sacrifice' to God, thinking not of our own hopes, dreams and desires, but taking His desires as our own. Romans 12 exhorts the members of the church to serve the Lord. Age is of no importance, nor is overall ability. Each of us have been given gifts and talents, and it is in line with those gifts that we should serve our God. For example, if we have the gift of kindness, we should gladly show that kindness to others in the name of the Lord. If the gift of teaching, we must teach diligently in the name of the Lord.

In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul reminds the Believers of what many of them had been saved from - specifically listing many vile sins. However, in verse 11 he speaks about God has done for them and for each us who are saved. No more are we 'branded' by the sins of the past, we have been fully washed and cleansed from all sin by the blood of Christ. We have been sanctified - set apart from this world by God, for service to Him. And we have been justified, set free by a God who promises never again to remember our sin. He has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit, a new 'branding' - a permanent imprint upon our lives, the evidence that we belong to Him forever.

When we become disciples of God, we become His property. The Bible reminds us that we are 'bought with a price', purchased for God by the death of His Son on Calvary. It is therefore only right that we desire to glorify the Lord, not only with our mind and our spirit, but also with our bodies. That means controlling the sinful desires, the flesh, within us. Ross made the analogy of owning two wolves and choosing to feed one rather than the other. The wolf you choose to feed will grow to be large and strong, dominating the other one which will grow weaker and weaker. We must choose, before God, whether to 'feed' the fleshly desires of our hearts, or feed the Spirit of God within us. If we continue to feed the flesh, we allow it to grow strong and dominate our lives. If, however, we feed the Spirit, immersing ourselves in the Word of God, and seeking to do His will, the fleshly desires will grow weaker and will have less control over our lives.

Asking what we were motivated by, Ross proposed that the desire and motivation of the world can be summed up in pleasure, prosperity, power and position. Is that what drives us? As believers, we should have one motivation and that is to please God. As Romans 12 puts it, doing the will of God is our 'reasonable service' - it is the least that we owe Him for what He has done for us.

Finally, being a disciple of Christ means we must be crucified with Him to the world - our connection to this earth must die as Christ died. In saving us, He eternally separated us from this world and unto good works - unto discipleship. Although we have responsibility to live our lives in a Godly manner upon this earth, it is not our home. We must set our affection and attention of the things of God and not be distracted by the world around us. It is then that we will realise the true extent of being a disciple of Jesus Christ.

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. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:1