In Matthew 5-7 and in Luke 6 we have the record of Christ’s sermon to His disciples. As you read through these two passages you find that Jesus clearly spelled out what it means to be one of His true disciples. He began with what we call the “Beatitudes”. In other words, if we are to be a “true” disciple of Jesus Christ, our actions, attitudes, motives, heart, mind, and soul must reflect His attributes and characteristics.
Christ also taught us about our relationship with our Heavenly Father; how we are to pray to Him; how we are to share the gospel message with the lost; how we are to relate to one another; how we are to depend on Him to take care of our everyday needs; and that we should seek His righteousness on a day-by-day basis. Christ also gave clear instruction as to the evidence of the fruit of His righteousness that will be manifested in the lives of true disciples. Likewise, He gave clear instruction as to the evidence of hypocrisy – for counterfeit disciples.
Luke 6:45 states,
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”
Jesus concluded His message with the following words in Luke 6:46-49,
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.”
Matthew 7:21-23 states,
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
I pray that you will read through both of these passages in Matthew and in Luke. Then, ask yourself, “Are these attributes and characteristics of Jesus Christ being exemplified in my life? Or, am I seen as a hypocrite?” For one to be a “true” disciple of Jesus Christ, one must die to self and be raised in the likeness of Christ; become obedient unto the righteous ways of the Lord; and allow the light of Christ to shine forth from within their life. Note the following path.
Colossians 3:1-4,
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”
Philippians 2:5-8,
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Matthew 5:16,
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
If you are a true disciple of Jesus Christ, these attributes and characteristics of Jesus Christ will be seen as “righteous” fruit – borne from our Holy Root Jesus Christ who lives within. If there is no clear evidence of Christ’s fruit in your life, I pray that you will surrender your life to His calling and direction today.
