What does a heart look like that accepts the Word? How is a life lived that welcomes as its own Jesus Christ the Word of God? The Gospels capture six elements from the very lips of Jesus. Listen to Him. Accept His Word. Desire this depth of devotion, and welcome Him by giving yourself to Him.
How do we cultivate that level of dedication to Jesus? In Mark 4.20 Jesus calls this "accepting" the Word - welcoming into our hearts and lives His Word and His way as our own.
JESUS WANTS TO HAVE ALL OF US
In the Gospels we can trace Christ's call to commitment. He states we can't be His disciples unless we desire to evidence these characteristics. Here are six ways that we evidence Christ as our Teacher, and that we are His Followers.
1st - Hearts opened completely in love for Christ - that means we love Him MOST.
"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple" (Luke 14:26).
2nd - Bodies offered completely - that means we die to SELF.
"Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple" (Luke 14:27).
3rd - Wills surrender unreservedly to Christ - that means we will OBEY.
"Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple" (Luke 14:33).
4th - Eyes focused eagerly on God's Word - that means we hunger to see Him in His Word.
"Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, 'If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free'" (John 8:31-32).
5th- Actions focused on selflessly on love for others - that means we love with Christ's LOVE.
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35).
6th -- Lives spent intentionally on fruit bearing for God's glory - that means Walk in the SPIRIT.
"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples" (John 15:7-8).
The ultimate goal of discipleship is this: ". . . be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma" (Eph. 5:1-2). This is an ongoing, lifelong process by which the Holy Spirit uses the Word of God, to conform the child of God, into the image of God, for the glory of God. In so doing, He produces in us the fruit of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22).
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