Being A Disciple Of Christ

King James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning Scripture One Day At A Time
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2015
Chapters: Luke 6-7 http://imfollowingjesus.com/Bible-Reading-297.html
Message Title: Being A Disciple Of Christ

Hello My Friend,

Disciple, a learner or follower; a scholar; one who receives or professes to receive instruction from another. Many people have or are disciples, if you are a trainer of some sort, whether it's in school, a job, a coach, or a parent than you have disciples, people that follow by your example. Sadly, some lead immoral and corrupt lives, bringing many along with them. Besides coming here to be the permanent redemption sacrifice for all mankind, Jesus also came here to show us how to live a godly life in the midst of a very ungodly world. He is our teacher, He is the Word of God made flesh, He is our greatest example of surviving in this life and moving on to eternal life. There is one requirement to being a disciple of Christ, and everything else will fall into place. “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” - Matthew 16:24,25.

“Whosoever will save his life shall lose it” When we receive Christ as our Saviour the life we once lived will be replaced with a new life, one that if we follow Him will be like no life we have ever known. In order to understand and grow as a disciple of Christ we must follow Him. Jesus had many more disciples other than the twelve that walked with Him daily during His ministry, Luke is one of them. Often when He addresses His disciples, He is speaking to all of them, including us disciples today. He explains that it's not always easy following Him, but those who do will reap the rewards.

“Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.” - Luke 6:21-25.

“Shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil” We are in a time where evil is considered good and good is evil. If we follow Christ and represent Him in any way we can expect some persecution, and this is happening all over the world. We can also expect God's back, He will not let them mess with us without getting vengeance. We must realize that once we receive Christ we belong to God and that means not a hair on our heads gets touched without Him knowing about it, and He will make sure they are punished much more severely for what they did to us than we ever got from them. Jesus tells us how to get even with those who hurt us. “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” - Luke 6:27,28,35.

“For he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” God is not a respecter of persons, He shines the beautiful on all to give all an opportunity to know His Son. God could take us out of here immediately after we are saved, but He will not do that because there are many more people that need to be saved. Our Christlike presence in this world is needed to show the lost that they can know Christ too. If we follow Him we are a reflection of Him, and people literally see Him in those who follow Him. I ran into a woman I worked with years ago she couldn't believe the amazing things that happened in my life, and she saw the life I lived. I am a walking testimony that Christ literally changes the lives of those who follow Him. “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” - James 5:19,20.

I never understood why people who really do not live their lives with Jesus want to be around those who do. You would think that something would sink in, but it's like they have blinders on. In reality they want to catch us doing something so they can discredit Jesus. They are the first to become offended or jealous at the blessings God brings, and are quick to judge you if they see you doing what they think is wrong. This is exactly what the Pharisees were doing, and Jesus has something to say to all those who follow false religion and judge us for believing in and following Him.

“Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.” - Luke 6:37-42.

“The disciple is not above his master” We belong to Jesus and as long as we do we are going to be accused of many things, especially from other “Christians”. We can't explain anything to them because they will not listen, the best thing we can do is take care of ourselves in the mercies and grace of God. The second we accept Christ as our Saviour we put on His righteousness, meaning we are perfect in the eyes of God because all of our sin is washed away. He no longer looks at us through the murky water that kept Him from seeing us, He looks at us through His perfect Son, who shines through us. “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” - Romans 3:20-24.

Today's Prayer: Jesus, You know my heart, my thoughts, and even my actions before I do them. I know that I am who I am today because You touched me. I am not the same creature I was when You picked me up out of the hole I was in, but You are not done with me yet. You have much more for me to do. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me the strength that only You can give me to be more like You and less like me. Let me be a the disciple You need me to be, to be a witness and testimony for those who need You, and even those who lost their way. In Your name, Jesus, Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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