In today’s world, it’s easy to mistake attendance at church or participation in church activities as signs of being a true disciple of Jesus. But true discipleship goes much deeper than simply being part of a congregation or engaging in service. It’s about a personal decision to follow Christ, one that requires self-denial, sacrifice, and a daily commitment to His teachings.
Jesus Christ clearly outlined what it means to be His disciple in Matthew 16:24, where He said, “If anyone desires to be my disciple, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” This simple yet profound statement holds the key to understanding what it means to follow Christ—not just in name, but in lifestyle.
1. Desiring to Be a Disciple
The first key to becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ is desire. Jesus specifically said, “If anyone desires…“. This desire is not a passive wish, but an active longing to truly follow Him. Many people attend church for various reasons—some enjoy the community, the music, or even the environment. However, simply showing up does not make one a disciple. A true disciple is someone who actively desires to be more like Jesus, beyond just having an association with the church.
Desire for discipleship is a choice—a choice to live according to Christ’s will rather than your own. This means making an intentional decision to walk the path He walked, to learn from His life, and to grow in the knowledge of Him. Jesus’ disciples were not just followers in a crowd; they were individuals who sought to grow and be transformed by Him.
2. Self-Denial: Letting Go of Selfish Desires
The second step to true discipleship is self-denial. Jesus clearly instructed, “Let him deny himself.” This does not simply mean denying oneself certain luxuries, but it involves a deeper shift in priorities. Self-denial means disregarding your personal interests, desires, and plans in favor of God’s purpose for your life.
The lack of self-denial often leads people to treat their relationship with God as transactional—seeking God only when they need something. But a true disciple seeks God, not for what they can get, but out of a desire to align their will with His. For instance, praying for others, even when you have your own needs, is a demonstration of self-denial. It’s about going beyond self-centered requests to intercede for others and serve God’s kingdom.
Self-denial also manifests in how we live our lives. Whether it’s giving financially to those in need, volunteering our time, or helping others, these acts reflect the heart of a disciple who is willing to give up their own comfort for the benefit of others.
3. Taking Up Your Cross: Embracing Sacrifice
Another critical characteristic of a disciple is the willingness to take up one’s cross daily. The cross represents sacrifice, suffering, and a commitment to endure hardship for the sake of Christ. Jesus didn’t just say, “Let him take up his cross,” He emphasized that this is a daily responsibility.
The cross is not just a symbol—it’s a lifestyle. Discipleship involves sacrifice, and that sacrifice is not always easy. It may require giving up personal desires, enduring difficulties, or making decisions that are unpopular or costly. But it is through these sacrifices that we grow and become more like Jesus. The cross calls us to live a life that continually reflects the sacrifice Christ made for us.
In Luke 9:23, Jesus underscores that taking up our cross involves following Him, not just in good times, but through the challenges of life. As we embrace the cross, we demonstrate our understanding of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and our willingness to share in His sufferings.
4. Following Jesus: A Daily Commitment
Discipleship is not a one-time decision; it is a daily commitment to follow Jesus. Jesus didn’t say, “Let him take up his cross once,” He said, “Let him take up his cross daily.” This means that following Jesus is an ongoing journey, one that requires daily choices to live according to His example.
To follow Jesus means to align our actions, speech, and behavior with His teachings. It’s about embodying His love, humility, and obedience in every area of life. It’s a process of becoming more like Him over time, through prayer, study of His word, and actively living out His teachings.
True followership involves mental and spiritual attachment to Christ, not just physically walking behind Him, but adhering to His ways and example. When we follow Jesus, we grow closer to Him, and His power becomes evident in our lives.
5. The Call to Radical Discipleship
Being a disciple of Jesus is a radical calling. It demands that we give up our own plans and desires to live for God’s purpose. As Jesus said in Luke 14:33, “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be my disciple.”
True discipleship requires us to forsake our attachments to the things of this world—our possessions, our comfort, and even our own ambitions—if they get in the way of following Christ. Discipleship isn’t about adding Jesus to our lives; it’s about giving our lives completely to Him.
6. Living as Christ’s Disciple
As we embrace the call to discipleship, we are transformed by the grace and power of God. We are no longer just churchgoers; we are active participants in God’s mission on earth. Discipleship requires a life that reflects Jesus’ character, a life that leads others to Christ through our words and actions.
Being a disciple means living out the gospel in every area of our lives. As we follow Jesus, we are empowered to reflect His love, His compassion, and His commitment to the truth. The more we follow Him, the more we become like Him.
In conclusion, discipleship is not about simply attending church or participating in religious activities. It’s about desiring to be transformed by Jesus, denying oneself, carrying the cross of sacrifice daily, and following Christ faithfully. If you truly want to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, it requires commitment, selflessness, and a willingness to sacrifice your own desires for the sake of His kingdom.
As we strive to live as true disciples, we pray that God’s grace will empower us to walk this path faithfully, reflecting His glory and drawing others to Him through our example. May we move beyond religion and live as true followers of Jesus, making disciples in all that we do.