Do you consider yourself to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? 

What if there was a litmus test?

There is.

It’s called the Bible.

…and the Word of God…

…and the Bread of Life…

…and James compares it to a mirror…

And in it are the identifying marks of a disciple.

John 8:31 (KJV) 
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Those that endure to the end shall be saved! Perseverance is the trademark of Christianity.

Notice the word “continue” in John 8:31? It means “to stay in a given place, state, relation or expectancy: abide.”

Are you tossed between belief and doubt? Or are you “continuing” in His word? Do you constantly have to be reminded of the fundamentals, or are you growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?

Daily disciples “continue” in His word. They don’t forsake Him. They may fall, but they rise as quickly as they fall. The Word is their guide and they keep moving forward with their eyes fixed on the prize of the high calling of God in Christ.

John 13:35 (KJV) 
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Love is defined as “agape” which is the highest form of love. Simply put, it is unconditional love. It is love that gives without expecting anything in return. When you love, do you expect that love to be reciprocated? If so, that’s not agape.

It’s easy to love someone that loves you back; however, even worldly people do that.

How about loving someone that claims to be your brother or sister in the Lord: can you love them?

Agape is only possible through Jesus Christ. It was agape that held Him on the cross; not the nails. It was agape that proclaims that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Learn to love for love’s sake. It’s one of the marks of discipleship.

John 15:8 (KJV) 
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

All too often, people receive the Holy Ghost and stop there feeling they have “arrived.” However, if you are not bearing fruit, then you are not pleasing God.

The Word of God is likened unto seed and as it is planted in our hearts, it is destined by God to bring forth a harvest. If there is no crop, you might want to make sure you’ve weeded the garden of your life. Maybe you need to “break up the fallow ground” in repentance and fertilize the word with your faith once again.

Examine yourself. Read Galatians 5:22-23. Are you bearing fruit? Does your life mirror these qualities?

Luke 14:27 (KJV) 
And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

This is one of those verses that mainstream Christianity would just as soon skip over and leave out of their preaching and teaching. They don’t want to offend people with the icon of death – the cross. Yet what they fail to realize is that the cross is really an icon of LIFE!

When I died to sin, I really started living! The cross represents LIFE to me, not death – except the death of sin, guilt, shame, and the mess I had made of my life. BUT GOD took that mess and made a miracle out of it! He took my turmoil and gave me a testimony! He healed my pain and gave me power! Taking up my cross daily is the least I can to do serve and thank Him for all He’s done for me.

And remember, God only daily blesses a daily disciple. It was the disciples that continued daily in prayer that God added daily to. Read Acts 2:46-47 and you’ll see what I’m talking about. In fact, do a study of the word “daily” and you’ll see that the 1st Century believers knew what it meant to be a daily disciple. Let us learn from them and be daily disciples!