A true and serious disciple of Christ has a powerful desire to know the Lord. Do you hunger and thirst for God’s Word? Do you hear, read, study, memorize and meditate on His Word daily? Do you pray always? Do you desire to fellowship with the brethren more than once a week? Are you eager to share the gospel with the lost?
Do you hate sin? Do you hate worldly movies and television shows that depict every sin imaginable? Do you hate worldly music that glorifies the devil, drugs alcohol, sex, etc.? Do you hate and not go to concerts where people are high on drugs and alcohol, and the music is worldly? Do you hate partying, and not go to parties where there is drinking, smoking and drugs? Do you hate and not go to nigh clubs? Do you hate gambling and avoid it? Do you rarely envy the wicked?
If you are certain you are born from above but have a problem with any of the previously noted sins you need to pray fervently every day, study the Bible daily and find a church where the brethren can help you gain victory over your sins. Letting go of worldly ways is a strong sign of a true disciple for Christ.
A true disciple should want to know as much as possible about the Bible and want to be filled with wisdom. Ask for wisdom and understanding (James 1.5), and let the Holy Spirit teach you (1 John 2.27). Remember, there is no mystery, doctrine or passage in the Bible that a true believer cannot understand if he seeks to understand it. The Holy Spirit searches the depths of God (1 Corinthians 2.10), and He can give us everything the Father wants us to know. Since we have the “mind of Christ” we can learn as the Holy Spirit leads us.
“For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2.16).
The cults take discipleship seriously. They make sure their devotees are thoroughly indoctrinated into their heresies and are capable of sharing them with others. The Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses are masters at proselytizing while most Christian churches have few evangelism and discipleship programs. Is it any wonder the cults are growing while the true churches are shrinking?
A true disciple for Christ places the Lord first above all things in his or her life.
“More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3.8, emphasis added).