Years ago, the words Christian and disciple could be used interchangeably. The word Christian means “Christlike,” and the word disciple means “follower of Christ.” Religious people of our day use these words rather loosely. Our Saviour was gracious to give us clarity. There are many attributes of a true disciple, but Jesus gives three distinct characteristics.
Continue in the Word
Jesus was speaking to believers when He said: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31–32). A true disciple of Jesus Christ is daily searching the Scriptures and finding truth that frees them—not from acts of obedience—but rather to acts of obedience with a free and joyful heart. David said he walked in liberty because he was seeking God’s precepts (Psalm 119:45). Continuance in God’s Word is not automatic. It is the result of strong purpose and self-discipline.
Love One Another
A disciple of Christ is one who not only studies His teaching, but also obeys His commands.
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34–35). This new commandment is the most challenging task on every Christian’s daily to do list. If loving one another wasn’t complicated enough, He clarifies it by telling us to love others the way He has loved us. As I study the love of Christ, these three main attributes of His love absolutely amaze me.
His love was completely selfless. Matthew 20:28 describes His desire to minister and His lack of desire to be ministered to. Our desire to be Christ-like calls us to release selfish desires and be humble servants.
His love was all-forgiving. Nothing in life compels me as Christ’s love expressed through His forgiveness. We are never more Christ-like than when we forgive.
His love was sacrificial. We know and appreciate that Jesus sacrificially gave His life, but His daily ministry shows great personal sacrifice as well. His service was always at cost to Himself. There was no limit to the sacrifices He was prepared to make. It is the highest love that gives without any prospect of return. We are nothing without love (1 Corinthians 13:2).
Bear Fruit
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples” (John 15:7–8).
This passage reveals the upward view of discipleship. A fruitless disciple of Christ is a contradiction in terms. If there is not real fruit in our lives, we cannot claim to be true disciples. Remember that not all believers are disciples.
What is fruit? It is produced by God in the life of a disciple for God’s glory, and it is manifested in two areas: the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5) and fruit that remains (new converts).
When we produce fruit, we are reproducing ourselves as Christians. In order for fruit to remain, it must be thoroughly grounded. Fruit is seen when souls are won, baptized, discipled, and led to spiritual maturity.
Jesus links fruit-bearing with the cross. If we will die to our self-dominated life, the Spirit of God can make our lives fruitful! As we teach through our discipleship curriculum, it is imperative that we grasp the reality that we are doing more than teaching the major doctrines of the Bible. We are to participate in the process of helping a new believer pass over from being a spectator Christian to a disciple of Christ—one that is grounded in the Word, loving others, and producing fruit in his spirit and in the lives of those he brings with him to Jesus.
