Spiritual Fitness: Being a Disciple

Philippians 2:11 – And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

Romans 10:9 – That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

It is good to believe in Jesus.  But is that enough to be considered a Christian?  The honest answer to that question is, “No!”  We are told in the New Testament that even the demons believe in Jesus, but we know that they are not (nor can they ever be) Christians.

So what does it mean to be a Christian, or Christ-like, or a disciple? 

A disciple was one who would follow a teacher, learning from day to day the doctrines that the teacher believed or was commissioned to teach.  A disciple would not only learn the lessons of the teacher, but he would also learn to mimic the habitual lifestyle of the teacher. 

When you read in the New Testament book of Acts you will discover that the disciples had done just that.  They knew how to follow Jesus while He was on Earth.  After His ascension they began to walk in the Spirit and to live like Christ lived: selfless, humble, in power and in meekness.  Jesus had become not only their teacher, but He was also their Lord.

Lord is more of a title than a name for God.  Lord means “one that rules”.  Is Jesus your Lord?  Does He guide your decisions?  Do you ask for His direction in your daily life?  What you would be doing differently if He was the Lord?

Jesus is a gentleman.  He will not rush into your heart and take over.  He wants you to allow Him to be Lord of your life.  It is good to believe in Jesus.  But He must be Lord over everything in your heart!