Jesus Reproduces His Life In Us

Have you ever asked the question, “What is a disciple?” If we are called to be a disciple of Jesus, what does one look like? Imagine trying to put together a 1000-piece puzzle without looking at the picture on the box. That’s how many of us approach being a disciple.

Found among the papers of a young African pastor after he was martyred in Zimbabwe was the following declaration about being a disciple.

I’m a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of His and I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I’m done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power.

My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my Guide is reliable, and my mission is clear.

I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won’t give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He does come for His own, He’ll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear!

(This vibrant declaration was contributed by Dr. Nina Gunter, who received it from veteran missionary Louise Robinson Chapman, Africa: 1920-1940)

Read Luke 6:40

Christian artist TobyMac coined the phrase “Jesus Freak” to call out a new generation of true disciples for Christ. Other words for disciple are: student, learner, follower, mimic. A disciple is a person who is becoming just like Jesus. They are becoming like Jesus in their character. They are becoming like Jesus in their habits. They are becoming like Jesus in their priorities. They are becoming like Jesus in their impact. They are becoming like Jesus in their joy.

Acts 11:26 records, “It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians...” The idea conveyed by the title Christian is literally ‘little Christ.’ The surrounding community looked at the disciples and essentially said, “Look at these people. They are trying to be just like that guy named Jesus, the Christ. They’re a bunch of little Christs… Christians!” The term wasn’t used to define a religion, but instead to describe person. It identified them as one who looked like, lived like, loved like… Jesus Himself. Hardly how we or the world around us uses the word ‘Christian’ today. The terms ‘Christian’ and ‘Disciple’ should be synonymous.

Read Luke 6:43-45.

Think about this. If a disciple is one who is just like Jesus, and Jesus made disciples, then built right into the DNA of being a disciple is that we must make disciples. It is impossible to be a non-reproducing disciple. That’s an oxymoron. Disciples make disciples. That’s what they do.