Jesus' disciples would know and obey the truth. John 8:31,32, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed. And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." Jesus' disciples would continue in his word, that is, daily study the Bible. They would receive a knowledge of his truth that would so enthrall them that they would forsake all that they have (Luke 14:33) in materialism and goods to be his disciples. In Mark 8:35 Jesus said, "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it." This means consecrating our all to the Lord and using it in his service as he directs. Further stringent conditions of discipleship are found in Luke 14:26: unless a man "hate" (love less) his father, mother, wife, children, brethren, even his own life, "he cannot be my disciple." Again in Luke 9:23: "If any will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."
Jesus' terms of discipleship for being a Christian, indeed, are demanding. Is it any wonder he predicted that only a "little flock" would qualify? Oh yes, many would call themselves Christians as Jesus predicted in Matthew 7:22,23:
2007-06-19 00:49:44 · 2 answers · asked by ? 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Matthew 7:22,23: "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name. . .done many wonderful works? And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you. . ." (as Christians). Yes, the terms of discipleship are demanding. The faithful Christian does not actively seek financial and health blessings. But the compensating spiritual blessings are a hundredfold in this life and then life eternal (Mark 10:30).
In western civilization "Christian" denotes a culture to which the majority belong. In Scripture, "Christian" denotes a lifestyle characteristic of an extreme minority. Certainly 200 million people have not left all to follow Christ. But have you left all to follow Christ?
*H*
2007-06-19 00:50:22 · update #1
It also means living our lives to the fullest......as long as it's glorifying to God.
We can't just drop everything and live like paupers in this day & age. It's almost as if you're trying to add works to salvation here.........our salvation will produce good works naturally.
We still need to go to work....pay our bills....feed our kids....pay our taxes.....etc....
The bible tells us to "be holy and come out from among them". It doesn't literally mean to live away from society.....we still have to live here while we're alive. It means to seperate ourselves from the sinful ways of the natural man.
2007-06-19 00:54:45 · answer #1 · answered by primoa1970 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Do you actually read this crap and comprehend it or just copy and paste it?
2007-06-19 07:54:51 · answer #2 · answered by Desiree 4 · 0⤊ 5⤋