To truly be a disciple of Christ, we must live according to His word and teachings. This is the most important requirement for anyone who desires to follow Him genuinely.
If we choose to ignore His teachings as believers, then we are not worthy to be called His disciples, much less refer to Him as our Lord.
As stated in Luke 6:46, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” This verse clearly reminds us that obedience is essential. We cannot claim to follow Christ if we do not practice what He teaches.
The scripture emphasizes that before we can be recognized as His disciples, we must first obey His word. Without obedience, we cannot truly be identified as His followers.
It is also important to understand that not all disciples are apostles, although all apostles are disciples. According to Luke 6:13, Jesus called many disciples, but He selected twelve from among them and named them apostles.
This shows that while many people may follow Christ, only a few were specifically chosen for a distinct role. The twelve apostles were selected from a larger group of disciples, meaning that being a follower does not automatically make one an apostle.
However, anyone who consistently follows Christ’s teachings and lives by His word can be considered His disciple. The key qualification is not a title, but a life of obedience and practice of His doctrine.
In 2 Timothy 3:10, we are reminded of the qualities of a true follower: sound teaching, a godly way of life, purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance.
These are the characteristics we must develop if we want to be recognized as true disciples of Christ. Living out these virtues is what truly defines our relationship with Him.
Thank you for reading.
