Deep Joy, Evangelism, Freedom, New Life LIved, New Life Thought, Theology

Christians Are Disciples of Jesus

September 4, 2018 Comments Off on Christians Are Disciples of Jesus

The following are areas of the Christian walk the normal Christian is participating in. When Jesus said, “let him deny himself, and take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Lk 9:23), this is what he was talking about. There is a temptation to read this list and turn it into a series of academic exercises but read them carefully and notice that these each have ramifications in how we live in our daily lives. Christ-ians are not pagans who read their bibles and go to church on Sunday; we are different.

I found this list in a course I took somewhere but can’t remember where.

  1. Are you diligent in learning to handle accurately the Word of God (II Tim 2:15)?
  2. Do you consistently examine yourself in light of God’s Word instead of comparing yourself with the lives or expectations of others (I Sam 16:7; Is 55:8-11; Rom 3:23; II Cor 10:12; Heb 4:12)?
  3. Are you a doer of the Word? Being a doer of the Word requires continual hearing of God’s Word and walking in it to receive the blessings of the Lord (Deut 11:26-28; Rom 10:17; Heb 5:14; Jas 1:22-25). The Word is completely adequate for every area of life as it teaches, reproves, corrects, trains, and equips you in order that you may mature in Christ (II Tim 3:16-17).
  4. Do you deny yourself by putting off your natural self-centeredness to follow the Lord Jesus Christ (Mt 10:38-39; Lk 9:23-24)?
  5. Do you seek to please God in all things (Jn 8:29; II Cor 5:9; Eph 6:6-7; Col 1:10; I Thes 2:4, 4:1; Heb 13:21; I Jn 3:22)?
  6. Are you a person of prayer? Continual prayer, with thanksgiving, leads to God’s peace guarding your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:6-7; I Thes 5:17-18).
  7. Do you place the welfare of others ahead of your own, thus following the example of the Lord Jesus Christ (Mt 20:25-28; Rom 15:1-3; Phil 2:3-8)?
  8. Do you love others in biblical ways (I Cor 13:4-8a)? By loving in this manner, you will follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ and will become known as His disciple (Jn 13:34-35, 15:12-13).
  9. Are you faithfully using your spiritual gift(s) for God’s glory and for the benefit of others (Rom 12:3-8; Eph 4:1-16; I Pet 4:10-11)?
  10. Do you regularly worship the Lord, remaining in fellowship and in ministry with other believers (Ps 29:1-2, 122:1; Jn 4:23-24; Heb 10:24-25; I Pet 2:5; I Jn 1:7)?
  11. Are you ready at all times to give testimony for the hope that is within you (I Pet 3:15), giving glory to the Lord with your life (Mt 5:16), seeking to reconcile others to God, and discipling them to walk in His way (Mt 28:19-20; II Cor 5:18-20)?