All disciples of Jesus Christ are christians, but are all christians true discip

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   graceinusposted 10 years ago

   All disciples of Jesus Christ are christians, but are all christians true disciples?
   
   What does it take to be a true disciple? And why do many who state they are christians never call themselves or see themselves as disciples? How many times have you heard some say; I am a disciple of Jesus Christ? Many call themselves Bishop, Pastor, Prophet and other things, but never a disciple. Why?
   Isn't a true follower of Christ a disciple?

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   lone77starposted 10 years ago

   Good question, graceinus.
   
   No! Most are not true disciples.
   
   What it takes to be a true disciple is to love others as yourself, without any self-concern, wishing for them everything that they desire, even if it is for them to slap your face (turn the other cheek).
   
   When you can convert ego's desires to those of bestowal -- receiving for the benefit of others -- then you are on the right path (walking with God).
   
   When you combine this love with fearless confidence, utter humility and perfect responsibility, then you have everything you need to spread the word.

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      celafoeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      i cant agree that wishing for anyone to receive everything they desire.   Scripture says He will provide all our needs not desire.    Many have been destroyed because they got  their "desires" which were not of God.

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      graceinusposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      lone77star- I agree that most are not rue disciples, however, I don't no where "wishing" fits here. And a agree with celafoe regarding his comment on desire.  And why turn the other cheek if you already got what you wished  for. Thanks

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      David Christianposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Well, I tend to agree that God would not grant us every desire we might capriciously have, but there is this: Psalms 37:4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

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      PlanksandNailsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      David,
      When we are "in the Lord," our desires are His desires.

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      David Christianposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Planks, that sounds very nice, but excuse me if I happen to notice that, despite my agreement that God's will is perfect, God has given me a soul that, on occasion, has an independent desire. Just the other day I had the urge to eat dark chocolate.

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      graceinusposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      We must be careful with regards to the desires of the heart. The things which we desire is what seperates the citizens of the Kingdom of God and pew-warmers of churches.

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   connorjposted 10 years ago

   
   
   Absolutely not. Very few Christians are disciples of God. For most it is indeed a part-time pursuit to try to be disciple-like. Yet a pursuit that falls significantly short of ever coming close to being a disciple.
   Perhaps the closest example of a true disciple of God would be an excellent (Saint-like) Priest or Nun. I know this will not be a popular answer yet I truly think it is an accurate one.
   Now indeed there are other more scattered examples of Christians that are disciple-like. I would define those as people who devote their whole existence and time to carry out His will and complete it with selfless  motives one specifically void of financial concern. Few indeed accomplish being a disciple ( I would indeed be one that fails) few even consider it necessary, although it may indeed be required...

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      graceinusposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      connorj- Thank you for your answer and insight. I do believe we should be as much like Jesus was/is as possible. True discipleship does require that we give up on all worldly things as we should seek the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness. Thanks.

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   David Christianposted 10 years ago

   We start out on the same foot, when we make a declaration of faith and say that we wish that Jesus Christ be our Lord and Savior. But the next step is what separates the pew warmers and false teachers from the disciples. Many never make the transition into discipleship after making a public declaration of faith. True disciples should be in constant prayer and communion with the Holy Spirit and with other disciples; be sharing their testimony and serving as an ambassador of God and Christ, exhorting others to be reconciled to God through Christ; be searching the scriptures prayerfully to learn more of God's will and views, grow into Christ, and adapt more to God's righteousness; and seek God's will with regard to their life, in general, with regard to whatever they do, and with regard to some ministry to which they should dedicate themselves. If we do not follow Christ, who is our example, and do the things he said we should do, I do not see how we could consider ourselves to be disciples of his.

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      graceinusposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      David_ Thank you very much for your answer. I would further add that seeking the Kingdom of God should be foremost in discipleship. Again thanks.

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      David Christianposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I suppose that just about all I mentioned previously was with regard to the kingdom.

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   PlanksandNailsposted 10 years ago

   A true Christian is the representation and the citizen of the Kingdom of God. They, just like Jesus Christ desire to do the will of the Father. They are among the Ekklesia whom Jesus Christ created as living stones who are temples of the Holy Spirit.
   
   The man-made "Christian" within the four walls of man-made temples called church are merely a religious label.They are the minions of the salaried-to-serve class who instruct and indoctrinate those into the traditions of man. These religious pew-warmers called "Christians" are the disciples of men because they allow and support the salaried "Bishop, Pastor and Prophet" of the clergy class to be their mediators instead of Jesus Christ.
   
   The true disciples of Jesus Christ are Christians who are led by the One True Shepherd in the Kingdom of God.
   
   The true disciples of the salaried-to-serve clergy class call themselves "Christians," but they are man-made religious labels who are led within the four-walled kingdoms of men called church.

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      graceinusposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      PandN- True disciple of Jesus Christ are the ekklesia and as such, they are, as you mentioned, citizen of His Kingdom. The pew-warmer disciples seek church of men. In all cases we need to be careful about "what" is the desire of our hearts. Thank you

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