A Closer Walk with God - The mark of a disciple

[FONT=&quot]A Closer Walk with God[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]Are You a Disciple of Jesus?[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]The Mark of a Disciple[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]When we are a disciple of Jesus we should be showing the world that we are truly followers of Jesus. The question then becomes what will show the world that we are a disciple.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]A disciple abides in Christ.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]John 8:31[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]This scripture tells us to know (study) His word. We cannot really abide in His word if the only time we open our Bible in on Sunday morning. We need be reading and studying His word as often as possible. We don’t have to read an entire book of the Bible every day, we don’t have to do an extensive study of something every week. We need to soak up His word daily through reading and prayer. The reading we do could be just a few verses, it could be a chapter, or it could be a book. How much we study should be determined by the Holy Spirit. He will tell us when we are doing enough. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Disciple will love one another.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]John 12:34-35[/FONT]
34"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
[FONT=&quot]When we love one another it should be visible to the world. First of all we see in this scripture that when we love each other we should be doing it just like Jesus loves us. Keep in mind that the love Jesus has for us is unconditional. The closest we will see to true unconditional love is the love of a child for his parent. Watch how a small child loves their parent and try to emulate that in your love for your fellow Christians. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]When we love someone we want to be with them. This means we need to gather with other disciples. We can do this in various ways. We can do it on Sundays at church, we can do it meet for Bible Studies outside of church, we can do purely social activities with our brothers and sisters in Christ. What we should not do is to ignore our fellow disciples. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]A disciple will bear fruit.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]What if fruit? Simply put it is the example we show to the world. Our fruit is not something we show to get attention it is something that is a part of us.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]In my own life I have found that people notice that I do not swear or use foul language. I don’t tell people not to talk like that, but they notice that I do not. Soon others begin to watch the type of language they use when I am around, and then they will begin to break that habit and not use foul language at all. In effect my fruit of not using foul language plans a seed with them. Remember that true fruit will contain a seed.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]John 15:8[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] 8"My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples[/FONT][FONT=&quot].[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Matt 7:21-27[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]21”[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] 22"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] 23"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The Two Foundations[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] 24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] 25"And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] 26"Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] 27"The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell--and great was its fall." [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]These words are ones we must make sure everyone understands. We can say the right things, we can go to every church service, we can pray for hours each day, but if we don’t do it for the Lord it is all for nothing. What will mark us as a disciple of Christ is our belief not our actions. People will look at our actions, but if our whole life doesn’t support those actions then our hypocrisy will be seen. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]It is very easy to see someone who simply goes through the actions of being a Christian. The will do all the right things, but when they think others are not looking they will be living in their sin and not giving a thought toward repentance. [/FONT]

 

I would love to see more discussion on these topics. If you have something to add please reply to the email, or post on the Baptistboard or A Walk in Faith.

I am very encouraged by the number of views on the Baptistboard and A Walk in Faith.

 

I just want to let everyone know this is still an ongoing project for me. Unfortunately I have had some personal issues to deal with right now. I will be taking a couple of week break on postings for this study. Please pray for me and my family.

Bill