Disciple

 

    A disciple is someone who is a student or follower of a doctrine or teacher.  The best thing in life for people is to become a disciple of Jesus.  You may not realize it, but that is the kind of relationship we need with Jesus.  The Holy Spirit is willing to show us the answers.  We just need to be willing to ask the questions and follow directions.

    A Christian that is not living their life as a disciple has no instruction.  They are easily led astray.  Hosea married a prostitute, Gomer, to give her the opportunity to save her from her life.  He loved her enough to give her freedom from her bondage.  He sought her to give her redemption in the same way God seeks us to give us redemption.

    Immorality leads to Christians turning away from God.  Some people will choose their immoral life over God and end up in hell.  Sin is serious.  It is time that we treat it seriously, but also with love in our hearts for the sinners.  

    The most loving thing you can do is have Godly boundaries, stand firm in them, and uphold the consequences for people who do not respect them.  Show them how sin is real by not allowing it near you, but explain it to the immoral in advance, so that they are informed.  Do not tolerate sin, but do not reject the sinner.  We all have rules that we have to live by.  Help them understand God's rules and why it is best to live by them.

    To be a disciple you choose to follow His rules, but you also need to understand yourself too.  You need to look into your relationship with God and see how much He loves you.  Allow the Holy Spirit to get your attention if you are neglecting that relationship because it will be the most intimate relationship of your life.  It is what makes you special, so don't turn away from following Jesus.  

    God sees a clear path for you.  All you have to do is follow it.  All Christians are called to be baptized, learn, and then teach.  We are not meant to get too comfortable that we stop seeking out other people to bring into Jesus' family, baptize them, and help make them teachers of God's Word.  It is the responsibility of the Christian community to teach new Christians how to obey God's commands and how to allow God to work through them.

Proverbs 5: 21-23, Jeremiah 3:6-10, Matthew 28:16-20, & Mark 16:19-20