Are You a Disciple?

The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee.

Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” John 1:43

I wonder how you might answer these two questions:

Are you a Christian?

Are you a disciple?

No, I’m no trying to trick you or playing word games. There really is a difference between believing in Jesus (being a Christian) and following Jesus (being a disciple).

When Jesus called Phillip and the other men mentioned in John 1, he wasn’t calling them to belief in him. It wasn’t a call to faith. These were very devout Jews who were as “saved” as any person could be before Jesus’ death and resurrection. Their belief in God had been “credited to them as righteousness” just as Abraham’s faith had “saved” him (Gen 15:6).

Jesus did not invite these men to believe. He invited them to abandon one form of life and take on another. He gave them new names, new missions and new occupations.

In short, everything changed. Everything.

That’s the difference between just believing in Jesus and really following Jesus. The former gets you saved, secures your place in heaven and offers you the potential have having an amazing relationship with God. But that potential will only be realized to the degree that you choose to follow.

I wonder if you’re willing to weigh your following against your faith. It’s really good that you know Jesus as Savior. Perhaps it’s time for you to surrender to him as Lord.

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