ARE YOU A FOLLOWER AND A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST?(5)

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*ARE YOU A FOLLOWER AND A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST? (5)*

*Scripture Treasure.*

1 Cor 11:1 *Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

How do l know l am a follower and a disciple?

*Scripture Commentaries.*

It is important you know who you are or where and how you stand with Christ.

This was the reason why Jesus asked His disciples *".....But whom say ye that I am?"* Matt 16:15 (Who do you say l am).

Not that He did not know who He was but it was to sample what His disciples say He was.

What people say you are as God would say you are is key and vital in determining whether you are a follower and disciple of Jesus.

There is an identity crisis in the Church but God not in crisis as to know who you are.

2 Tim 2:19 says *Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.*

The truth is we can have identity crisis:

First, if we say we are who we are not.

Second, when people say we are who we are not

Third and most cynical is when we are not who we say we are before God. In other words, people even lie to God making God a witness to who they are not.

How do you know you are a follower/ disciple of Jesus?

You are a disciple and a follower if you follow Jesus with the intent of becoming more like Him.

It is relationship.

Paul identified himself through his relationship with Christ

In Rom 1:1, he wrote *Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,*

In Gal 2:20, he said

Galatians 2:20 *I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.*

Your identity is most and best defined if and when you follow Him and you are identified with Christ.

1 Cor 11:1 *Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.*

He identified himself not by who he was but by Christ whom he followed.

He says in 1 Cor 15:10 *But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.*

They ask according to His will, ask or request for a personal need or expectations that align with the heart of God, surrender to His will, take up their cross daily, and followed Him regardless of cost.

They are known by the speed of their transformation to resemble Him. This is how people know they know Jesus.

They are dedicated learner (2 Tim 2:15) who apply Jesus’s teachings, experiences daily transformation, and carries on the mission.

They have a goal, not just to have many people "following" (in a social media or casual sense), but to be disciples and make disciples of others, Matt 28:19-20.

How do you know you are not a follower/ disciple of Jesus?

You are not a follower or disciple of Jesus if you only want to be around Jesus or

admire Jesus from a distance, enjoying the benefits without the responsibility.

While "followers" (or the crowd) and "disciples" represent different narratives or are used interchangeably in the bible, true followers and disciple of Jesus are known by their levels of commitment and purposeful living 

You are not a follower or disciple of Jesus, if you are only, to consume from the Kingdom but contribute nothing to it.

You are not a follower or disciple of Jesus if you are only interested in miracles, feeding, and healing.

You walk away, graze around when your expectations seem not forthcoming and/or when Jesus’s teachings became difficult or costly (ref, John 6:66).

People who are not His followers/disciples often sit waiting for what would happen rather than make things happen

What you do will distinguish your identity of whether you are true, enduring disciples or temporary one

The evil associated with those who only follow Jesus for benefits is their eventual fall away from Jesus. They will one day be like those who *".....turned back and no longer walked with him"* ( ref John 6:66).

Your turning point is shifting from followers of benefits to be a convert and disciple who become followers of Jesus.

It starts with a desire to have a Christ identity.

You must have an identity?

Are you following to be a disciple or you are following to soon turn back and no longer walk with Him? ( ref John 6:66).

You can be a follower/disciple of Christ.

*Remorse corner.*

What was your mindset of Christ? Was it 'What you can get (consumer mindset) at the expense of 'What you can give or contribute to the Kingdom' (contributor mindset)

*Call to Word action.*

A follower and disciple of Jesus will strive (actively pursue) to follow Christ intimately

Phillipians 3:10 *That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;*

*The Christian clarion duty.*

A follower and disciple of Jesus is defined by transformation, Rom 12:1-2, commitment over convenience. obeying even when it is difficult, Gen 22:1-2.

*Prayer.*

Lord, help me to know who l am in You.

Help me as l actively pursue to be Your follower and disciple.

Help me not to lie to myself and others, in Jesus name.

Good morning all and have a blessed day.

God bless you.

Shalom.