To be a Disciple of Christ

By bejerbel

There is a clear and powerful distinction between being a Disciple and a worshiper. When one is a Disciple, one does far more than sing the praises of one's Master, and punish one's own body, mind, or spirit for being inadequate.

Here's a little secret: when you worship a god, be it Jesus, Allah, Vishnu, Zeus, Osiris, or any of the others, you do so because there is something about that entity, and the philosophy behind it, that you find exemplifies your own views of what perfection means. Since the personification of the idea in question is a matter of perfection, or the ultimate state, then of course you aren't going to be your god's equal.

If you were utterly without sin, would you worship Jesus? If you had achieved Nirvana, would you bow to Buddha?

We worship the gods we do because they bring meaning to our lives in a way that we cannot define on our own. Jesus brings us a message of love and forgiveness. Being a Disciple of Jesus means taking that message to heart, not just worshiping the messenger.

A Disciple strives to learn, to grow, and to be more like the God he serves. A worshiper merely pays a tithe of devotion. A worshiper lives his life on his knees, a Disciple walks beside his God.

Ironically, in Christianity's case, it seems that most of the worshipers do a better job of walking through life at Jesus's side than the would-be Disciples do. Many of the latter do little but give testimony to their own sin, their own failures, and how poor comparisons they are to Jesus. Telling others how poor a person you are only shows how poor a person you are, not how great Jesus is. Telling others how poor people they are doesn't get you very far either.

Of course you are sinful, and don't measure up to Jesus's standards - Jesus is revered as the Son of God for a reason. Striving to be more like Him, and embody more of His traits is admirable, but the enlightened seeker understands that he will never measure up to that standard of perfection.

God has forgiven men their imperfections - and He would know, because He created men as they are - so who are we to hold ourselves to a higher standard than God Himself imposes on us? God knows there is sin and temptation, and God understands that we all make mistakes. Jesus's message is that He loves us all anyway; not despite our shortcomings, but because of them. It is for that reason that we need His love.

The entire story of Jesus centers around one singular truth: God has forgiven you. Why, then, do you not forgive yourself? Do you know better than God?

In fact, rejecting God's love, His grace of forgiveness and peace in your own life, is a sin in its own right. It is a rejection of all that God stands for, and all that He holds most precious. It is also a rejection of yourself. Who are you, to deem yourself "unworthy" when God has proclaimed otherwise?

To reject God's forgiveness, and not allow yourself to be at peace, even while paying lip service to your own worship of Jesus is a lie - a lie to God. Now there's a sin to cry over.

Being a Disciple of Jesus means understanding forgiveness. It means accepting that Jesus DID pay your debt of sin, and letting go of your guilt. He didn't die for you just to make you miserable, but because He loves you, and wants you to be happy. How could you throw that gift back in His teeth, letting His sacrifice be in vain, and dare to say that you love Him too?

Being a Disciple of Christ means sharing that same love with all mankind. Some say that Jesus was the original hippie, and, in a lot of ways, that's right. Jesus believed with all of His being that if all men knew peace, happiness, and contentment, there would be no more sin. Earth literally would be the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus's work was to spread that message, and to teach all who would listen. A true Disciple should do no less.

Jesus also knew that it doesn't matter what name you call God, or how you worship. God is infinite, so is known by all names. God is with us always, so sees our devotion, be it in our day-to-day lives, or in our prayers at night. Being a Disciple does not mean telling others that the name they praise should be Jesus, but in teaching what Jesus taught. It is the message, not the messenger, that is important.

If you would testify, let it be of Jesus's teachings. If you would bring His name to others, let it be through His ideas, not out of a compulsion of guilt over His death. Even He holds no grudge - that's what forgiveness is all about.

Being a Disciple of Jesus Christ means walking His path, not worshiping the ground on which He strode. If you are going to walk with God, the first thing you must do is get up off your knees.

Do not yield in your convictions, but be at peace. Always stand your ground, but do so with an open mind, and a loving heart. Be prepared for the occasions when you are wrong; unless you are Jesus Himself, you will err in this life. Admit it, learn from it, and move on. Forgive those who trespass against you, and never throw stones in judgment.

There is a lot that can be learned from being a Disciple of Jesus, but hate, be it hatred of others, for their 'strange ways' or 'godlessness', or hatred of self, for one's own failings, isn't one of those things. Remember always that the concept of The One True God does not mean that all other Gods are false - it means that all other Gods ARE HIM. We are all His children, and we are one.