THE SIGN OF A TRUE DISCIPLE
Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi
John 13: 34 -35"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
The sign of a true disciple isn't in our religious garments, tone of speech, strict dietary principles and all manner of rules and regulations prescribed by religious folks. The world seem to be getting more and more confused on what constitutes a wholesome church . After making a commitment to serve the Lord, the next step is to identify with a Christian group : this is necessary for a healthy spiritual growth.
Through our fellowship with other Christians we experience warmth that makes the period of trials and temptation more tolerable. It is the love from the brethren that gives us the assurance needed to face life's challenges.
Preachers are more effective when in partnership with persons who really care about their welfare . Apostle Paul had open doors for God's service but he realized that having the right companionship was imperative for a successful mission and since he had none, he declined the offer. The scriptures says in 1cor 2: 12-13" Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia." Titus was a symbol of true discipleship. A true disciple is a source of comfort to many, 2 Corinthians 7: 6 says, "Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;"
The world is looking for true love more than any other thing else. It was what attracted the multitude to Jesus unlike the expensive marketing strategies used by modern churches to boost membership resulting in more church denominations and less disciples of christ. That's why there is so much competitiveness and schism among the various denominations to the point that inter-marriage between people of various races, tribes and denomination within the body of Christ is forbidden by many churches . This is what happens when preachers put their personal agenda of building little infinitesimal empires above raising disciples for God’s kingdom. A true church should be known for nothing else but love for one another (John 13:34 )
People are easily drawn to wherever there is love. Therefore , if God’s people must reach a world in chaos, love must be at the forefront of all our events. In John 13:34 Jesus taught that love is the identifiable feature of a disciple and not religion . The commandments of Christ are summarized in John 15:17 "These things I command you, that ye love one another. " the entire gospel is a compendium on principles on how to love one another. We are commanded to teach the world what true love is (Matthew 28:20 ). The church is the unifying factor of any community or nation. When love is at work, the problems of nepotism, terrorism , tribalism and marginalization are eradicated from the social fabric of the community . It is therefore, disheartening, when these anti-social behaviors are promoted by many a religious leader. We are admonished to love one another in the selfless manner with which christ loved us( Eph5:2 )this is possible when the world's system does not become our standard for relating with one another.
Love is a force that emanates from God and it leads to us have empathy for one another. Therefore, whenever we run out of love for one another, we should ask God to fill our hearts with love for the particular person or group seeking for our care . It is human to err and the best of us is prone to offense and whenever that happens, it becomes difficult to be loved and cared for that's why we need to constantly ask for fresh love for our spouses, children, church members, etc. daily.
It is God who gives love for one another. A married person who keeps complaining about not being loved by their spouse should rather pray that their partner be given a teacher of the gospel who will show them through the scriptures how to rejuvenate one's passion for his or her spouse through prayers and declaration of the gospel , and if we keep up with it without quitting, we would soon see the results in our marriages and relationships. (Gal6:9 ). People don't stop loving overnight therefore we should not expect them to start loving immediately, we should give them time to recover. It is easier when we are preoccupied with honest work or business and missionary activities such as visits to orphanages and the home for the elderly. There are also social rehabilitation centres in need of the services of loving Christians.
The human heart was designed to love someone or something, therefore, choosing to love is the first step to being free from the feeling of loneliness. We shouldn't worry about where the power of love will come from, it is already in the Spirit of God that dwells in our hearts. It is easier when one is filled with the Holy Spirit, that's why married folks must be filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues (Rom 5:5 ) We should always pray for the increase of the fruits of love towards each other in our hearts( 1Thess 3:12 ) and that our love be directed towards each other ( 2Thess 3:5)
Many christian ministries take pride in the development of other virtues such as prayer, fasting, holiness and not much is spoken on love which is the most important virtue in the church of christ (1Cor13:2b,13) . We are most likely to see more church advertisements on warfare,killing of witchcs, money doubling techniques and less on love. The effect of not teaching on love is not far -fetched in our communities. By the prevalence of these teachings , virtually every member of our family is a suspect for witchcraft or one sinister activity or the other and our villages have become a no go area as parishioners have been made to believe that villages have turned into witchcraft covens. This isn't what Jesus said we should teach, wherever love is taught, hearts become tender and less prone to being used by Satan. The message of love taught over a long period of time is the cure to the spate of wickedness in our societies. The prevailing conditions in our society is a reflection of the messages from our pulpits ( Galatians 3: 1.)
God wants us to be rooted and grounded in love ( Eph3:17) the greatest teacher of God’s word is no match for a Christian overflowing with the love of God (Ephesians 3:19) , the realm of love is the highest dimension attainable in the realm of the spirit ( Col 3:14). The fullness of God’s power is easily made manifest when we walk in unfeigned love (Ephesians 3:17-19) and we receive victory over death (1John 3:14) what that means is that through love , dead dreams and projects are brought back to life.
As you read this now, receive grace to walk in the supernatural unconditional love of God with faith to do the extraordinary in Jesus name.
Prayer /counseling +2348098536911, +2348035536911
Email :Michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com
John 13: 34 -35"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
The sign of a true disciple isn't in our religious garments, tone of speech, strict dietary principles and all manner of rules and regulations prescribed by religious folks. The world seem to be getting more and more confused on what constitutes a wholesome church . After making a commitment to serve the Lord, the next step is to identify with a Christian group : this is necessary for a healthy spiritual growth.
Through our fellowship with other Christians we experience warmth that makes the period of trials and temptation more tolerable. It is the love from the brethren that gives us the assurance needed to face life's challenges.
Preachers are more effective when in partnership with persons who really care about their welfare . Apostle Paul had open doors for God's service but he realized that having the right companionship was imperative for a successful mission and since he had none, he declined the offer. The scriptures says in 1cor 2: 12-13" Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia." Titus was a symbol of true discipleship. A true disciple is a source of comfort to many, 2 Corinthians 7: 6 says, "Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;"
The world is looking for true love more than any other thing else. It was what attracted the multitude to Jesus unlike the expensive marketing strategies used by modern churches to boost membership resulting in more church denominations and less disciples of christ. That's why there is so much competitiveness and schism among the various denominations to the point that inter-marriage between people of various races, tribes and denomination within the body of Christ is forbidden by many churches . This is what happens when preachers put their personal agenda of building little infinitesimal empires above raising disciples for God’s kingdom. A true church should be known for nothing else but love for one another (John 13:34 )
People are easily drawn to wherever there is love. Therefore , if God’s people must reach a world in chaos, love must be at the forefront of all our events. In John 13:34 Jesus taught that love is the identifiable feature of a disciple and not religion . The commandments of Christ are summarized in John 15:17 "These things I command you, that ye love one another. " the entire gospel is a compendium on principles on how to love one another. We are commanded to teach the world what true love is (Matthew 28:20 ). The church is the unifying factor of any community or nation. When love is at work, the problems of nepotism, terrorism , tribalism and marginalization are eradicated from the social fabric of the community . It is therefore, disheartening, when these anti-social behaviors are promoted by many a religious leader. We are admonished to love one another in the selfless manner with which christ loved us( Eph5:2 )this is possible when the world's system does not become our standard for relating with one another.
Love is a force that emanates from God and it leads to us have empathy for one another. Therefore, whenever we run out of love for one another, we should ask God to fill our hearts with love for the particular person or group seeking for our care . It is human to err and the best of us is prone to offense and whenever that happens, it becomes difficult to be loved and cared for that's why we need to constantly ask for fresh love for our spouses, children, church members, etc. daily.
It is God who gives love for one another. A married person who keeps complaining about not being loved by their spouse should rather pray that their partner be given a teacher of the gospel who will show them through the scriptures how to rejuvenate one's passion for his or her spouse through prayers and declaration of the gospel , and if we keep up with it without quitting, we would soon see the results in our marriages and relationships. (Gal6:9 ). People don't stop loving overnight therefore we should not expect them to start loving immediately, we should give them time to recover. It is easier when we are preoccupied with honest work or business and missionary activities such as visits to orphanages and the home for the elderly. There are also social rehabilitation centres in need of the services of loving Christians.
The human heart was designed to love someone or something, therefore, choosing to love is the first step to being free from the feeling of loneliness. We shouldn't worry about where the power of love will come from, it is already in the Spirit of God that dwells in our hearts. It is easier when one is filled with the Holy Spirit, that's why married folks must be filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues (Rom 5:5 ) We should always pray for the increase of the fruits of love towards each other in our hearts( 1Thess 3:12 ) and that our love be directed towards each other ( 2Thess 3:5)
Many christian ministries take pride in the development of other virtues such as prayer, fasting, holiness and not much is spoken on love which is the most important virtue in the church of christ (1Cor13:2b,13) . We are most likely to see more church advertisements on warfare,killing of witchcs, money doubling techniques and less on love. The effect of not teaching on love is not far -fetched in our communities. By the prevalence of these teachings , virtually every member of our family is a suspect for witchcraft or one sinister activity or the other and our villages have become a no go area as parishioners have been made to believe that villages have turned into witchcraft covens. This isn't what Jesus said we should teach, wherever love is taught, hearts become tender and less prone to being used by Satan. The message of love taught over a long period of time is the cure to the spate of wickedness in our societies. The prevailing conditions in our society is a reflection of the messages from our pulpits ( Galatians 3: 1.)
God wants us to be rooted and grounded in love ( Eph3:17) the greatest teacher of God’s word is no match for a Christian overflowing with the love of God (Ephesians 3:19) , the realm of love is the highest dimension attainable in the realm of the spirit ( Col 3:14). The fullness of God’s power is easily made manifest when we walk in unfeigned love (Ephesians 3:17-19) and we receive victory over death (1John 3:14) what that means is that through love , dead dreams and projects are brought back to life.
As you read this now, receive grace to walk in the supernatural unconditional love of God with faith to do the extraordinary in Jesus name.
Prayer /counseling +2348098536911, +2348035536911
Email :Michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com
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