Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | John 8:31 ¶ So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 8:31 ¶ So Jesus was saying to the Jews who had believed Him, "If you abide in My word [continually obeying My teachings and living in accordance with them, then] you are truly My disciples. |
Subject: Profile of A Disciple |
Bible Note: Our Lord gave us final, parting instructions. He gave us a purpose, a process, and product: "And coming up Jesus talked with them, saying, 'All authority in Heaven and on earth was given to Me. Then having gone, disciple all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things, whatever I commanded you. And, behold, I am with you all the days until the completion of the age.'" (Matthew 28:18-20) The purpose of evangelism is to make disciples. Christ's instructions are very clear. The process of making disciples involves going, baptizing, and teaching. What then, does a disciple of Christ look like? We can characterize a disciple of Christ in a variety of places throughout scripture. Indeed, we ought to be alert for such passages so that we will know how to live pleasingly to God. Let us narrow our focus to the book John. "In this My Father is glorified, that you should bear much fruit; and you will be disciples to Me," (John 15:8) our Savior said. v8 Disciples bear much fruit (John 15:16; Col 1:10) v9 Disciples abide in the Father and Son's love (John 14:21; Jude 21) v10 Disciples keep Christ's commandments (John 15:14, 20; 1 John 5:3) v11 Disciples can rejoice in the midst of adversity (James 1:2; 1 Peter 4:13) v12 Disciples love one another (John 15:17) v13 Disciples are characterized by self-abnegating love (John 13:35; Rom 12:10; Heb 10:24) v14 Disciples know and love the Word (Psa 119; John 10:27, 14:21; 2 Tim 3:15; 2 Pet 3:16) v16 Disciples petition the Father through the Son (1 Cor 1:2; Eph 5:20) v15 Disciples are taught by God (Psa 71:17; John 14:26; Eph 1:17) v18 Disciples are hated by the world (John 17:14; 1 John 3:13) v19 Disciples are not of the world (1 Cor 1:21; Gal 4:3-5; Eph 2:2) v20 Disciples are persecuted (2 Tim 3:12) v26 Disciples have the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 1 Cor 6:19; Jud 20) v27 Disciples self propagate (Mat 28:18-20; Acts 6:7) May each of us ask ourselves to what extent we fit the profile. I've written a lot lately about being "born again." J. C. Ryle has an excellent essay describing the characteristics of such a one. I commend it to all: http://www.westminstershortercatechism.net/AreYouBornAgain.html In Him, Doc |