True Disciple: A Follower of Jesus

A disciple of Jesus is a follower of Jesus. Someone who merely acknowledges Jesus as a great religious leader is not a disciple. Many people have only a mental nod to who Jesus is.

The first step of becoming a true disciple is when an individual receives a spiritual revelation of the reality of who Jesus is and their own need for a Savior. The seed for this revelation is the Word of God when one hears the Gospel. This revelation creates a strong desire to follow the One, who has the words of eternal life.

This desire is not a mental decision but a spiritual turning point in their hearts. The desire is so strong it causes them to deny themselves, bear their cross, and follow Jesus. It is not a superficial act but a complete turnaround in their lives that Jesus called being born again.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
(Matthew 16:24-26 NKJV)

Desire to Follow Him:
The Holy Spirit plants that desire in our hearts by a revelation of who Jesus is and our need for Him. This revelation is like a man finding hidden treasure in a field and sells everything he has in order to buy the field so he can get the treasure. This treasure is Jesus Himself.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 
(Matthew 13:44 NKJV)

Deny Ourselves:
When we deny ourselves, we surrender and submit to the will and desire of God. We yield ourselves to His control. We no longer have any rights in the relationship.

He [Jesus] went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will'.
(Matthew 26:39 NKJV).

Bear Our Cross:
The cross is an instrument of death. The cross we bear is our willingness to endure for Jesus, whether it is scorn, shame, persecution, suffering for the cause of Christ, and even martyrdom for His sake. It is living the crucified life where we die to sinful living, selfish desires, and the ways of the world.

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 NKJV).

Follow Jesus:
A disciple is a follower. In the time of Christ, a disciple of a spiritual leader would follow the leader to be like him. Nothing has changed except our desire for independent living.

As He [Jesus] passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ So he arose and followed Him. (Mark 2:14 NKJV).

We often think the first step in conversion is confession, but it is obedience. It is that first step toward Christ as we turn away from the ways of the world.

I pray if you read these words and you are not a disciple, that the Holy Spirit would give you the revelation of who Jesus is and your great need for Him. I pray the light of that revelation and the deep conviction of the Holy Spirit will rock your world. And this will cause an overwhelming desire to follow Jesus. When you get to that point of beginning this journey—let go of yourself (deny yourself), commit yourself to follow Jesus regardless of the cost (take up your cross), and follow Him. Your life will never be the same and your eternal destination will be glorious.

Pray this prayer:
Lord, I know Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God; that He was crucified and resurrected. I know He died on the cross so that my sins can be washed away. Lord, I surrender to You and submit myself to Your will and purpose. I ask You to fill me with the Holy Spirit so I can live victoriously and effectively in this life. Thank you for His resurrection power living in me. In Jesus name, Amen.

Yours on the Journey,

Harry L. Whitt