BEING A DISCIPLE
"I HAVE DONE THE LORD'S WORK HUMBLY AND WITH MANY TEARS. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews."
Acts 20:19 (NLT)
Apostle Paul relegated the self to do God’s work. He did the work humbly and he did not shrink from telling the Ephesian believers the truth: “I NEVER SHRANK BACK FROM TELLING YOU WHAT YOU NEED TO HEAR, EITHER PUBLICLY OR IN YOUR HOMES” (Acts 20:20 NLT).
Working for God may entail difficulties, it may be hard; there may be challenges, but one has to endure trials (2 Timothy 2:3).
Jesus was unequivocal, He was clear about what it takes to be His disciple. He did not mince words and He was down-to-earth about it:
26 "IF ANYONE COMES TO ME AND DOES NOT HATE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, WIFE AND CHILDREN, BROTHERS AND SISTERS, YES, AND HIS OWN LIFE ALSO, HE CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE.
27 "AND WHOEVER DOES NOT BEAR HIS CROSS AND COME AFTER ME CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE.
28 "FOR WHICH OF YOU, INTENDING TO BUILD A TOWER, DOES NOT SIT DOWN FIRST AND COUNT THE COST . . . .
33 . . . WHOEVER OF YOU DOES NOT FORSAKE ALL THAT HE HAS CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE.”
Luke 14:26-28,33 (NKJV)
Reading through the Jesus' words, one would know that Jesus did not want whoever making the decision of following Him—becoming His disciple—do it impulsively.
He wanted whoever making the decision to know what it takes to be a disciple, be convinced about it, and made up his mind about whether to follow or not.
Being a disciple, learning of Christ and working for Him, is a decision one has to deliberately make.
A True Disciple
• A true disciple of Christ bears testimony of Him—be a witness for Him (Acts 1:8; 4:20; Mark 16:15-18).
• A disciple lives according to the dictates of the Bible (James 1:21,22).
• He prays consistently (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
• Such does not give up in his or her faith, does not consider the negative, and he or she keeps progressing in spiritual principles (Romans 4:18-22).
• A true disciple builds a strong fellowship with God through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18-20; 6:18; Jude 20).
Apostle Paul, in our text, said he did the work with many tears and He endured trials (Acts 20:19; 1 Corinthians 4:11-13; 2 Corinthians 4:8-12; 11:23-28; 2 Timothy 3:10-12).
If you are a believer, Jesus’ disciple, you have a responsibility to tell others about Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
And much more, you have to do that if you are called fully to do the work of ministry, you have to do the propagation of God's kingdom without looking back (Luke 9:62).
Note:
• If there is any benefit at all in being born again, then you have to tell others about the benefits.
• You are saved to serve, God called you to call others (Ephesians 2:10).
• God saved you to be an instrument of salvation for others. Nobody’s blood should be on you for not declaring the gospel to them:
26 THEREFORE I TESTIFY TO YOU THIS DAY THAT I AM INNOCENT [clean] OF THE BLOOD OF ALL MEN. 27 FOR I HAVE NOT SHUNNED TO DECLARE TO YOU THE WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD" (Acts 20:26,27 NKJV).
READ: 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
Peace.