Characteristics of A True Disciple

Characteristics of A True Disciple

By Apostle Felix

18  And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
19  And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
20  And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. 

Matthew 4: 18 – 20

The highest calling of a believer is to be a disciple. The core mission of the church is to make disciples of all nations. A disciple of Jesus is someone who is following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and is committed to the mission of Jesus. A disciple of Christ should be someone who embraces certain characteristics in order to be a true disciple. Jesus called the twelve and it was up to them to decide to follow Him. The decision to follow Christ was not imposed on them but suggested. They willingly decided to follow Christ. Even after they had decided to follow Him, it was their responsible to stay receptive to Christ’s teaching in order to be made into His likeness. Let us look as some of the characteristics that may help us to be true disciples of Christ.

1. Willingness

19  If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

Isaiah 1: 19

Willingness is key to discipleship. It is impossible to disciple someone who is not willing. The person seeking discipleship should be willing to be instructed and taught the word of God.

2. Humility

10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

James 4: 10

Learning takes place where humility is. Pride can be an hindrance to learning. The reason why most people resist the gospel of Christ is pride, when one does not want to give up his sinful lifestyle. For some, they do not want to let go of unscriptural doctrines and practices due to pride. It takes humility to decide to give up on a long practiced ritual for the truth. A true disciple is one who is humble to unlearn and relearn.

3. Total Commitment

46  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.

Acts 2: 46

Anything grows on the premise of commitment. Passive commitment produces immature disciples. The casual approach to discipleship has cost the church dearly in terms of losing souls to falsehood. Making disciples requires consistence in church and discipleship class attendance. You cannot be a sporadic church attender and expect a vibrant christian life. Commit yourself, and growth shall be legendary.

4. Diligent

11  Now all discipline seems to be more pain than pleasure at the time, yet later it will produce a transformation of character, bringing a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who yield to it.

Hebrews 12: 11

It takes discipline to be diligent. Slothfulness is due to indiscipline. On both parties, the disciple-maker and the disciple should be well disciplined. Disciple making is hard work. It is something that should not be taken lightly. Jesus committed His life to disciple making and so were His disciples. The masses left Jesus upon a sermon He preached on eating flesh and drinking His blood. But His disciples were willing to continue following Him. That was diligence on the disciples part. True disciples are staunch followers. I urge to be a staunch follower of Christ, especially in the season that we are living in.