Do you remember the game show, To Tell the Truth? It was a show where four panelists questioned three contestants – one central character telling the truth and two imposters. Hence, one was the REAL one and two were pretenders. The panelists sometimes got it right, but often they got it wrong. Did you know that the Church is just like this game show? There are many imposter Christians walking around. People who claim they are followers of Jesus, but they are not. How do we know this? Because on several occasions, Jesus talked about the TRUE disciples. In addition to our key verse, Jesus also said in John 8:31: “Jesus said to the people who believed in him, ‘You are TRULY my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.’”
I don’t know about you, but I want to be a TRUE disciple of Jesus. With that said, it’s important we look at three core tenants of a TRUE disciple.
Follower! When Peter was evaluating himself next to John (the one referred to as Beloved), Jesus said to him, “You follow me” (John 21:22). In other words, Peter, don’t follow John or worry about John’s mission or John’s destiny… You follow Me. A true follower is one who goes where Jesus goes. One who wants to be with Jesus every day. They follow no matter how hard it is or what roadblocks are in the way or how steep the terrain is. There is no one they would rather follow than Jesus. A follower is one who is on mission with Jesus.
Learner! A TRUE disciple is always learning. Again, Jesus said, “You are TRULY my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.” Remember that Jesus is the Word (John 1:14) so to be faithful to His teachings, a learner is one who is faithful to the teachings of the Bible. A learner is one who is not content with just a little. A learner is one who wants to know what Jesus is saying. A learner is one who seeks to know more… always trying to apply the Word to their life.
Imitator! In Bible days, when young Jewish boys were being groomed for the priesthood, they literally took on the mannerisms of their teacher. If their teacher was old and walked with a limp, they would walk with a limp. If their teacher was benevolent, they were too. If their teacher stuttered, they did too. This is what being an imitator means. We are to walk like Jesus, act like Jesus, and speak like Jesus. We are to take on His character… good, kind, loving, holy. Hence, when people look at us, they see Jesus in us.
Now hear me… this doesn’t happen overnight nor will we will ever reach perfection. It is a process. Peter says in 2 Peter 3:18: “You are to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” In other words, if we are continually growing, following, learning, and imitating, then we are called TRUE disciples.
And Jesus says that a TRUE disciple will be producing much fruit. And this brings GREAT glory to the Father (John 15:8). And here’s another awesome feature to being a TRUE disciple… “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). Hence TRUE FREEDOM can only come when we are His TRUE disciples. Let these words encourage you today.