I’ve been pondering what it means to be a disciple. Before
now, I’ve thought it meant “one who is obedient” (i.e. someone who observes the
Christian teachings and commandments). I guess I’ve backed away from this
definition because I realized that nobody is completely obedient—we all fall
short in one way or the other.
So, maybe being a disciple just means that you genuinely try to be obedient. I think there are
many well-meaning people who do this. While some of these people may be content and essentially Christian with this kind of “discipleship,” others could easily become either pharisaical
or totally overwhelmed and despondent. They would either idolize the law or feel
crushed by it, both of which stray from what I understand to be the Christian
way.
Then if discipleship isn’t fundamentally about obedience, what
is it? The closest I’ve come to an answer is this: A disciple is one who
follows Christ. Perhaps that definition is simply tautological (A=A), but I
feel like there’s something more substantial to it. I do not expect you to be satisfied with this definition--I am not. It is incomplete, but I think it is a beginning.
What do you think? What does it mean to follow Christ? Is it obedience or
something else entirely? If obedience and discipleship are different, what is
that difference?
Here are a few biblical passages that might illuminate your research:
