Want to Be a Disciple?

Discipleship involved two principles. First, it meant that the disciples had fellowship with their teacher. They lived with him as Jesus’ disciples lived with Him. Second, the disciples carried on the tradition of their teacher. After he died they taught the same things that he did. Disciples were the main means of perpetuating teaching in the ancient world, since many great teachers wrote no books.

Receiving the truth should always accompany learning the truth. It is one thing to learn a truth, but quite another to receive it inwardly and make it a part of our inner person. Facts in the head are not enough; we must also have truths in the heart, then practice it. “Be doers of the Word and not hearers only.” (James 1:22)

This verb practice or “do” is the key word in James, for to hear truth and not to do it is to delude oneself.

Practice (prasso) refers to repetition or continuous action. Practice is a habit. The present imperative is used, thus commanding believers to continually practice these things as their normal way of life.

Our English word “practice” has a similar connotation. We speak of a doctor as having a practice, because his profession maintains a normal routine. Christians are to make it their practice to lead godly, obedient lives.

As far as we can know Mahatma Gandhi never became a Christian, but he made a statement that we who follow Jesus would do well to ponder. When asked to put his message into one short sentence, he replied “My life is my message.” He practiced what he believed, so must we.

The requirement is for you to trust God in all things. The result will be contentment. How many truly content people do you know? Would you describe yourself as a content person? If not, you can learn to be content.

It is as though our Lord is saying, “Show me your faith by resolving to learn from the things I allow in your life and I will give you contentment.”

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”  (Isaiah 26:3)

This formula works: Trust = Perfect peace.

There is a counter reality: No trust = No peace.

Basically: No Jesus = No peace. The alternative is, Know Jesus = Know peace.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)