Christian Living

A True Disciple 3

by Olawale Ogunsola
05/16/25
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The word "disciple" is closely related to the word "discipline". One essential truth to be known is that discipline is the foundation upon which discipleship is built. It is not the end of being a disciple of Jesus Christ.

What next?
Besides discipline, the Lord Jesus Christ reveals another truth that is involved in being His disciple. He discloses in Matthew 16:24:
"If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.'"

Self-Denial:
This does not mean only
abstinence. It involves sacrifice.
Self-denial isn't merely about avoiding certain pleasures. It involves a comprehensive commitment to God's will, even when it leads to personal sacrifice or hardship.

God's Will First:
It means surrendering personal desires, ambitions, and even one's own life for the sake of following Christ. This is laying all at the altar.

Jesus himself demonstrated self-denial in his willingness to sacrifice his life for humanity, making it part of the foundation of discipleship.

Apostle Paul counsels in
Romans 12:1
[1]I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."

As long as being a disciple of Jesus Christ begins with a new birth, John 3:3, every birth is followed by growth.

Therefore, self-denial is crucial for spiritual growth and allows individuals to experience a deeper relationship with God, focusing on the Lord's needs rather than his own.

Self-denial could involve,
Act of Fasting:
This is when one refrains from food, which can be a form of self-denial focused on spiritual discipline and prayer.

Act of Giving:
Giving generously to those in need and supporting the work of God, even at one's expense, is a practical expression of self-denial.

Acts of Doing Away With Personal Desires And Pursuits:
Choosing to follow God's will rather than personal desires, even when it means sacrificing comfort or worldly possessions, is a key aspect of self-denial.

"Taking up one's cross" symbolizes the willingness to accept suffering and hardship for Christ's sake.
In essence, discipleship and self-denial are interconnected. To be a disciple is to embrace a life of sacrifice, obedience, and commitment to God's will, often at the expense of one's desires and comfort.

Read the encounter of a rich man and the Lord in Mark 10:21,27
_[21]Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”_
Christ's counsel above did not go well with the man, he went his way. To be sincere, it is not an easy thing except the Holy Spirit helps, the flesh and blood can never achieve the true status of a Disciple. The Lord assures,
[27]But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.'

Beloved, never agree to be a failure. You can be a true Disciple with the help of the Lord through the Holy Spirit. You can pray for the Spirit of God to help other disciples to become true ones and remain so in the name of Jesus Christ. Stay blessed and prepared for the imminent coming of the Lord.