The disciple of Jesus

The disciple of Jesus is a man who belongs to Him, follows Him, he is learning and serving Him. Usually he is called a Christian which means follower of Christ. He knows who his master is, he listens to His voice.

There are many people who claim that are Christians now-days.

Just because they show up at the church and know some facts about Jesus,

it doesn't mean they are necessary the followers of Christ.

Many times we describe some nation as a Christian nation. We say; 'this is a Christian church', but how many real disciples of Christ are there in these Christian churches? How can we recognize them, how can we be sure we are one of them?

Jesus said that our life will be a testimony of whether we really belong to Him or just 'think so' we do.

Whether we abide in Him or not will be shown by our fruit;

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” John 15;4 

 

He also said “ My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me “ John 10;27 

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13;34-35

These verses show that ' bearing no fruit' or ' not responding to Jesus' voice''  or 

' no love toward other people maight be  a clear evidence a person  has very little to do with being the Christian - Jesus wants him/her to be. Without a fellowship with the Lord, without learning from Him and serving Him – how can somebody be called His follower?

Of course we shouldn't compare each other's abilities and talents we are given or expect we all will be doing things the same way and that our ministry will be as 'huge' as somebody's else.

We are given different gifts and talents. Lots of our work for the Lord depends on the spiritual gifts we received. The more you are given, the greater is your responsibility, the more you are expected to do. The Bible is encouraging us to be faithful in using of what God has given us. You might be suprised but even the 'little' talent has a great meaning. If you were entrusted with that minimum to multiply- with only that one little gift you are given- it is what your Lord will be happy with. But if in somebody's life even that 'little fruit' to bring is missing, the person is called 'a worthless servant' and is not allowed in his master's everlasting presence.

Matthew 25;14-30
“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

We should carefully note the outcome of faithful service, and of unfaithful service, in this parable. Faithful service led to increased responsibilities in the kingdom of heaven, and eternal joy in the presence of the Master, Jesus Christ. Unfaithful service led to condemnation, the removal of one’s stewardship, and an eternity of weeping and gnashing of teeth in outer darkness, away from the presence of our Lord.

One must surely admitt that this parable is a message of eternal significance.