Life Of A DiscipleSample

Bill Johnson

Scriptures:
Matthew 10:37; John 13:35; John 15:7-8

Jesus didn’t command us to make converts, He commanded us to make disciples - learners who grow by following in the footsteps of Jesus on a relational journey of trust. Jesus modeled this by offering Himself as the sacrifice for our sin, leaning into the process and knowing God would raise Him again. And this is our calling, too. It is the daily decision to take up our own cross, to deny what we could do for ourselves because we trust that He will do it for us at the right time. It is the daily decision to seek the kingdom first, laying aside selfish ambition and jealousy. It is living with the belief that our job is the cross - His job is the resurrection. The resurrection is the Christian life, but we must get there by the cross - dying daily to self. 

What Jesus says never contradicts Scripture, but He does contradict our understanding of Scripture, and it is up to us to allow God to change our thinking - but this is a part of sonship. The mystery of Scripture is discerned in relationship, and to walk away offended by Scripture is to miss the point. Scripture defines Jesus as the only door to the road of discipleship, and as Jesus trains us, we start to know God’s heart and understand what it means to know our Father well. The heart of a disciple is really the heart of a son or daughter. 

When we do not carry this heart, we lean only on memory of past victories, and not on being in love and partnering with Him. This opportunity - to take up our cross and die daily - cultivates a place of intimacy, of humility, of seeking the kingdom first, and ultimately, being His disciple. By keeping our “yes” to the seeking first of the kingdom, and being His disciples above all else, we maintain a space within ourselves where we live in humility, in pursuit, and in trust that all things will be added in the right time. 

So, today, ask yourself the following:

1. What opportunities has God put in front of you to “take up your cross”? 
2. How is God inviting you to trust Him more so you can focus on seeking first the kingdom?
3. Are there any areas you need to surrender to Jesus where you’ve been leaning on your own ability?
4. How are you allowing God to renew your thinking, and cultivating being a son or daughter in your life?