True Discipleship
So unlike the crowds, these true disciples in Mark 3:13-19 experienced absolute temporal loss in that they left everything to follow him and this ended up costing them their lives. They became apostles; the foundation of the church, and the Lord used them to make countless disciples of Christ. They had their shortcomings and they had their sin, but they were transformed into true disciples of Christ.
Obviously, no one has the calling of an apostle on their life today, but listen to the following passages from Jesus which demonstrate the characteristics of true discipleship:
- John 8:31-32 – “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
Implication: True disciples live by His Word and defeat sin in their lives because of it.
- Luke 14:26-27 – “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. True disciples have Christ as the premier relationship in their lives and sacrifice their desires, dreams and lusts in order to follow him.”
- Matt. 16:24-27 – “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds.”
Implication: True disciples live with respect to their soul and not their flesh.