Disciples are yoked to Christ as learners who walk with Him in meekness and lowliness [Mt.11:29]. By definition, a disciple is a learner and pride spoils the process. The goal of such association is conformity to the Master. Lk.6:40: “Every disciple when fully trained, will be like his Master.”
Apprenticeship by observation and participation was ever Christ’s method to instruct, train, and equip disciples. For them to be able to repeat mechanically memorized information gained in a classroom setting was never His purpose. His school required men to reason about spiritual issues for themselves.
By encountering life situations with the Word of God and by the use of repeated questions, disciples’ inner character was developed. Paul followed this example of developing men. 2 Tim.3:10,11: “You followed my teaching, way of life, purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, and sufferings.”
In the extension of the kingdom of heaven through discipleship, Wisdom dictated to perpetuate life by life, not by pen or sword; Grace dictated that those chosen be from the mainstream of common humanity and not from the exceptional or elite, that no flesh may boast in His presence.
Every disciple begins as an ignorant learner and must learn Prov.3:5,6: to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.”
Paul himself pressed on “that I might know Him” -Phil.3:10. He admits that “I know in part” -1 Cor.13:12. Even when in prison at the end of his days, he asked Timothy to “bring the books, especially the parchments” [containing the Scriptures] -2 Tim.4:13.
It is therefore a life-long process of becoming increasingly conformed to the image of Christ. We become like Him when we are yoked to Him and walk in His path, learning from His meekness and lowliness of heart [Mt.11:28-30].
The Lord Jesus Himself followed in this process of discipleship. Every morning His ear was open to hear from His Father [Isa.50:4-7]. What He heard, He obeyed and did not turn back. Having heard and learned, He could sustain the weary with a Word.
Discipleship requires hating all the influence of natural associations that would draw the heart from Christ as Lord: even, and especially, that of “your own soul” – Lk.14:25. We must distrust our desires and assessments. If we are relying upon these, we are not listening to and learning from Christ; we are not disciples.
If we turn back because of the scorn and rejection of men, if we abandon the cross, we shall never die to self; we are not His disciples [Lk.14:26]. And there is no such thing as a disciple who has not lost his life for the sake of Christ [Mt.16:24,25].
All reliance upon our own resources must be given up. Discipleship is relying upon the strength, wisdom, and life of Christ alone. Trusting our own natural abilities, wisdom, and desires simply shows that we are not His disciples [Lk.14:33].
Timothy was a disciple indeed. Acts 16:1,2: “A disciple was there, named Timothy and he was well spoken of by the brethren.” He served Paul like a son serving his father. So much so, that sending Timothy was the same as sending Paul [1 Cor.4:14-17].
Paul said of him in Phil.2:20-22: “For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. Others are busy with their own concerns, not those of Christ Jesus. But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.”
A disciple, a learner, does not know “as he ought to know” -1 Cor.8:2. He is not a fool, trusting in his own heart [Prov.28:26]. Listening to, following, and yielding to reproof give evidence of being a true disciple. Prov.10:17: “He is on the path of life who keeps instruction, but he who refuses reproof goes astray.” Those who reject instruction, demonstrate that they are not disciples at all, but rather simply fools. Prov.12:1: “He who hates correction is stupid.”
Many have the outward show of being disciples, but few are genuine. Jn.6:60,66: “Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?’ After this many of His disciples quit following Him and walked with Him no more.”
A disciple loves the one discipling him, and the one discipling affectionately loves the disciple as well [2 Tim.1:2,4]. Discipleship is a relationship of love and mutual respect without constraint. Jesus said in Jn.15:15: “I no more call you slaves, but I have called you friends, because I have revealed to you everything I have heard from My Father.” This expresses well the discipleship relationship. Nothing is by force as if the “Discipler” were a master and the disciple his slave.
Many have this false idea of what discipleship is. It is evil. There is no such relationship in the Scriptures where a “Discipler” lords it over a “disciple” who submits himself under the “Discipler’s” authority. That is bondage and slavery, not discipleship. Much of the so-called discipleship ministry in Nigeria is worse than the oppressive hierarchy found among the General Overseers of denominations.
Jesus never practiced that type of superior/subordinate relationship. He said in Lk.22:27: “I am among you as the One who serves.” Paul referred to brethren with him as “brothers, fellow-workers, fellow-laborers.” He wrote in Philemon 14: “Without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be by compulsion but of your own free will.”
Paul’s fellow-workers do not serve by compulsion. 1 Cor.16:12: “I strongly encouraged Apollos our brother to come to you; and it simply was not his desire to come now; but he will come when he has opportunity.”
The one discipling will lead by being an example [1 Pet.5:3] and will teach and correct [2 Tim.2:24,25]. But the one discipling does not, and must not, lord it over the disciple. Jesus forbids that in Lk.22:25-27: “The kings of the nations lord it over them and exercise authority over them. It is not this way with you.”
Lording it over disciples makes them turn aside from following Christ to become followers of men. 1 Cor.7:23: “You have been bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.”
Discipleship’s great task is to perpetuate the faith that has been once for all delivered to the saints. 2 Tim.2:2: “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be competent to teach others also.”
This can only be maintained by faith and love in dependence upon the Holy Spirit of God [2 Tim.1:13,14]. No programs, institutions, publications, or creeds can ever maintain the true doctrine of God in living reality.
Diligent watch must be kept over one’s own heart, teaching, and practice. Prov.4:23: “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.” 1 Tim.4:16: “Pay close attention to how you live and to your teaching. By doing so, you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.”
Consistent daily reading and study of the Scriptures is mandatory if one is to be a disciple. 2 Tim.2:15: “Study to show yourself approved unto God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, who correctly handles the Word of truth.” Disciples must be steadfast in the Word even in times of departure when men are running after fables rather than sound doctrine [2 Tim.4:1-5]. May we all prove to be disciples indeed.
Copyright Steve Phillips 2020