Tuesday, October 31
Red Letter Discipleship
Scripture: John 8
John 8:31–32 Then Jesus said to those Judeans who had believed him, “If you continue to follow my teaching, you are really my disciples 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Observation
What does it mean to be a disciple or follower of Jesus? It means that you “continue to follow my teaching.” Literally, you “remain in my words.” Other translations render it:
- “remain faithful to my teaching”
- “live by what I say”
- “obey my teaching”
Clearly, to be a disciple of Jesus is to know what He said and do it.
This accords with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20, where we are commanded to make disciples by “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” A disciple is someone who knows and does what Jesus said.
Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands. (John 14:15) And, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.” (John 14:23) And, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I say?”
To be a disciple of Jesus, to love Jesus, to say Jesus is Lord all means that you do what He says. And I think it’s safe to add…we do what He did. We follow His teaching and His example. For example, see John 13:15 “I have set you an example that you do as I have done for you.”
(In the book I’m writing, I list six things that it means to be a Christian, and this is one of them: it’s a way of life, doing what Jesus says.)
Application
Two things.
First, live this way today. Do what Jesus says. Here is a grid for making decisions and taking action: what did Jesus say/do? Do that!
Second, make disciples by teaching them to obey everything Jesus said. Start discipling people this way. Red letter discipleship.
Prayer: Lord, embed Your words deep in my life so that this becomes my natural grid for making decisions and taking action. Make me a true disciple of Jesus. And then help me to make disciples who make disciples.
More: Daniel 10-12, Proverbs 25, Mark 15-16