James H. Cagle
“Then said Jesus to those Jews that believed on him (were saved, became Christians), If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jn. 18: 31, 32).
Discipline is defined as “training that develops self-control, character, or orderliness and efficiency.” It also means, “to instruct or educate; to inform the mind, to teach rules and practice, and accustom one to order and subordination.”
A “disciple” is one that disciplines themselves according to the teachings of the one they’re following at all cost to themselves that they might be transformed into their likeness and be an efficient servant for their cause.
“Indeed” is a word used for emphasis and means “in fact, truly” or we might say, “no doubt about it.”
“And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11: 26). The believers at Antioch were called “Christians” by the world because they were first of all disciples of Christ and were disciplining themselves according to the teachings of Christ as taught to them by Barnabas and Saul (Paul) (Acts 11: 25). Through their teaching they first made disciples of the believers and as they disciplined themselves according to their teachings the world saw Christ in them and called them Christians.
The church views one as a Christian when they by faith trust Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The world doesn’t call us Christian until they see Christ in us. The church calls us Christian because of our faith in Christ. The world calls us Christian because of our life in Christ.
Every believer should be a disciple of Christ and disciplining themselves according to the teachings of Christ until the world sees Jesus in them and calls them a Christian.
The reason there are so many believers that are not viewed as and called Christians by the world is because there are so many believers who are not disciples of Christ, and disciplining themselves according to His teachings. The church has failed miserably in the are of making disciples of the new converts to Christ.
A believer cannot live up to the name Christian as the first believers did without becoming a disciple of Christ and first disciplining themselves according to the teachings of Christ.
Proofs that we are Christ’s disciples are self-denial and cross-bearing (Mt. 16:24), renunciation (Lk. 14: 26), forsaking all (Lk. 14: 33), obedience to His Word (Jn. 8: 31), love one for another (Jn. 13: 35), and fruitfulness (Jn.15: 8). The average Christian possesses none of these proofs.
Getting saved or becoming a Christian is not the end but the beginning. It is a means to an end. It is the start of our transformation. Through discipleship we become clearly identify with Christ and become efficient servants to the cause of Christ.
A String Of Pearls
Memories are like a string of pearls
That we untie when we grow old;
Reminiscing each golden moment,
When we were youthful, strong, and bold.
♢
Slowly unstringing our yesterdays
As our mind’s fingers rotate each pearl;
Maybe a tear or maybe laughter
Comes as bygone days uncurl.
♢
As our youthful days slipped by us,
We raised stones with pure intent:
Now, when gazing back along our pathway,
Our heart revisits those marked events.
♢
Looking back, we see the heartache-
That loss or trial that brought us low;
But we see, too, how, through our pain,
God’s love and strength we came to know.
♢
There are milestones that mark victories,
Others are raised that tell of defeat;
But ev’ry pillar’s a hallowed monument,
Where Jesus blessed, our faith to complete.
♢
O, the glory of old age,
To turn and look back on life’s race;
To untie and slip off pearls,
So much more precious because of grace.
James H. Cagle
