Disciple of Christ
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
Matthew 16:24
Every Christian is destined to be a disciple of Christ, and we do this by following Christ as he leads us through the Holy Spirit. God is molding us to the mind of Christ and we can only do this by following Christ.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1) A disciple trusts the Lord to lead him/her through life, and they give their best to the Lord leaving the results to him. This requires trusting the Lord to guide us through our trials and tribulations. A disciple gives Christ control by following him as his servant, and this sets us free from the yoke of slavery. Learning to follow Christ as his disciple and being set free is a process that continues until our last breath. This means we can experience freedom in Christ more and more as walk as his disciple.
This freedom means we are no longer slaves to the world. Whatever comes to us from the world goes directly to the Holy Spirit, and the Lord tells us how to respond. We are no longer controlled by emotions of fear or anger but we are controlled by the Holy Spirit. We are now in control and we have the power of God living in us. A disciple of Christ overcomes the world, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. (1 John 5)
What does the Word say about how to become a disciple of Christ? If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters–yes, even their own life–such a person cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:26) In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples. (Luke 14:23) These verses are telling us two things: (1) we are to love the Lord more than we love anyone or anything, including our own physical life, and (2) we are to give the Lord priority over everything. This may sound difficult but it is essential to be free in Christ and to overcome the world. When we put the Lord first in our lives he changes us, we have more of God’s love and compassions for others and we experience rest for our souls. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
Today see yourself as a disciple of Christ, and seek his wisdom and learn the best results come through his guidance, which include both spiritual growth and achieving our worldly tasks. Know the Lord is there for you and greatly desires to help you in everything with his divine wisdom and understanding. To trust the Lord is to walk in his love.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your love, your desire to help me through every detail in life, while at the same time molding me to be Christ-like. Thanks is not enough, I can only show my love for you by fully trusting you with my life, to let Christ live through me. Help me to do this. In Jesus name, Amen