Can I become a disciple of Christ?

You certainly can become a disciple of Christ. Discipleship is not just aimed at pastors and ministers; it is the charge of Jesus to believers - to every believer. If you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you are eminently qualified to become a disciple. It is a high calling; in fact it is often referred to as the Great Commission. It is a commission of love given to us by God.

When you think of becoming a disciple, what comes into your mind? Do you think of following Jesus, helping others, or something else? The truth is that we should all be evangelistic towards making people followers of Jesus. Discipleship is a command that is not practiced as much as it needs to be. One report revealed that only 15% of the churches in the USA are growing, and 14% of those are only growing by transfer growth, which means the members move from one church to another. Sadly, only 1% of churches in the USA are actually growing. So YES you would be welcomed as a disciple of Jesus, but realize that it is hard work! Luke 9:23 says, "Then he [Jesus] said to them all: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'"

To be a disciple of Christ means that you must study His Word, and live the Word. As a disciple of the Lord, you will be asked to spread His Word regardless of the sacrifices and the personal difficulties you will have to endure.

We read about this in Luke 14:25-33: "Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 'If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters - yes, even his own life - he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, "This fellow began to build and was not able to finish." Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.'"

You are part of the divine puzzle; you are part of God's plan and methodology. He wants you to be used, to be part of His ministry to the World. It is a high calling, but a worthy calling as is stated in Matthew: 28:19-20: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Jesus wants us to help as many people as possible to find salvation in Him. He wants us to be His disciples, and then make others into disciples as well. This is what He wants, and above all He wants us to love our fellow man, just as He did.

We are told that the apostle John was the disciple closest to Jesus (John 13:23). John had qualities that made him stand out from the other apostles, the primary characteristic being his compassion and love. Jesus entrusted the care of His mother to John (John:19:25-27). John proclaims Christ's commandment to love one another and Jesus' love for mankind ten times in the New Testament. This shows that John knew it was the message which was most important to Jesus, and one that should be important to us. If God is about love, then love is what Christianity is about.