There are disciples and there are disciples indeed. Jesus desired that we should not merely be disciples but disciples indeed. A disciple is a follower who has attached himself to a master. Jesus is not just looking for mere followers. Followers follow to satisfy their passion, meet their personal needs, and advance their personal goals. But the disciple is a follower with a difference because he follows as a pupil with the sole aim of learning to become like his master. Nothing else delights him other than bearing the image of his master. He is satisfied only when he has become one with his master.
The crisis in the church today is simply as a result of the fact that our churches are filled with mere followers and no disciples indeed. Today's church is mainly constituted by a crop of people who want everything in the hands of the Master but want nothing to do with the nature and person of the Master. They are willing to follow the Lord for as long as things keep dropping off from His hands. But disciples indeed have a more defined relationship with the Master. They not only believe in the blessings that come through the Master, they also believe in His person.
It is rather unfortunate that even among the rank and file of today's pastors and ministers, we have a significant proportion who are following the Master but don't really believe in His person. They are ever willing to use the name of Jesus, the word of God and the anointing of the Holy Spirit for personal enrichment and carnal gratification. Such are people who suppose that godliness is a means of gain (1 Timothy 6:5). They want to gain everything but the image of the Lord. If this be the case with God's ministers, how then shall we be able to fulfil the mandate which Christ has given us to go make disciples for Him of all nations?
According to Jesus, a primary requirement to transforming from being a mere follower to becoming a disciple indeed is to continue in the word of God, reading, meditating and obeying it. Disciples indeed walk fully in the word of God. In all their endeavours, they stick only to the truth as laid out in the word of God. For them, the word of God is sovereign and there is no negotiating its provisions under any guise. Like Peter and the rest of the Twelve, they have bound themselves to living by the words of the Master, the words of eternal life, both in and out of season.
Friends, it is time to quit the company of those following Christ without any intention of becoming like Him. Remember that our primary call as Christians is to become conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). Resolve today not to be satisfied with anything less than becoming like Him. And may the good Lord help your resolve.
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