What Makes A Disciple?
You may have heard the word disciple in sermons or in reading the Bible. But what makes a disciple?
What is a disciple? The word disciple simply means a follower.
A disciple of Jesus is one who follows the teachings and lifestyle of Jesus.
John 15:8 - Identity of a Disciple
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
How will the world recognize that we are disciples of Christ? The world will know that we are disciples of Christ by our fruit. Nothing else. Not by how many likes we get on Instagram or followers we have on Twitter. Just by our fruit.
Galatians 5:22-23 - Fruit of a Disciple
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control...
How do we bear fruit? Does this mean that we have to plant mango and lemon trees in our yard? Not quite. These fruits are the result of the Holy Spirit’s empowering presence within us. When we have a relationship with God and are obedient to Him, our lives will reflect these characteristics.
People will wonder what is so different about us. They will marvel at our unshaken joy, undisturbed peace and steadfast love.
John 13:34 - Life of a Disciple
… Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
The word for love in this verse in the original Greek is agape. Agape is the unconditional love that comes from God. It is impossible to produce this kind of love in our own ability.
Love (agape) is also the first fruit mentioned in the list of the fruits of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23) As we cultivate a relationship with God and the Holy Spirit’s presence grows within us, unbelievers will recognize that there is something different in us and we can point them to the One who works with us to produce the fruit.
Related Scriptures:
1 Peter 1:23-25 - Heart of a Disciple
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever…”
Matthew 7:15-20 - Discipleship and Discernment
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
John 15:1-7 - Fruit-Bearing Discipleship
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.