CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP

When we read the words of Jesus in the Gospels, and the rest of the New Testament, we understand pretty clearly, that we are called by the LORD Jesus Christ, to discipleship. Discipleship is not some academic degree that we get, at the end of a few years of rigorous study. Discipleship is a lifelong process, where we learn from the Master Himself, about what is Christian life, and we living the same, for our Saviour and Master. The LORD Jesus, speaking in Luke 6:40, has very significant words for any who wishes to follow Christ, and be His disciple. 
– “40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the well-known German Pastor and theologian, says this about the Christian and the discipleship.
– “Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ.”

Two things are made very clear to us. Firstly, “Christian discipleship is, simply to be like our Teacher, the LORD Jesus Christ – in our thoughts, words and deeds. Secondly, without discipleship, we are no disciples of the LORD Jesus Christ. There are no two opinions on this.

Therefore, the primary aim, goal and purpose of our discipleship is to be like Jesus Christ of Nazareth, in our thoughts, words and deeds. Day by day, as we walk with the LORD, and take His yoke upon our shoulders, we will begin to be chipped and chiselled by the Master Craftsman, through circumstances, with an explicit aim of we being moulded into the image, that our Master wishes to shape us into.
– “18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” – 2 Corinthians 3:18
– “29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son…” – Romans 8:29a
– “10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,” – Colossians 3:10
– “48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.” – 1 Corinthians 15:48-49

May the LORD help us to learn to look at discipleship seriously. This is what draws the distinction, between a disciple of the LORD Jesus Christ, and the masses who may claim to follow the LORD. May the LORD grant us the grace, to yield ourselves to His promptings, so that we willingly let the LORD shape us. Even so the LORD help us.