Being Religious or Living as a Disciple of Jesus

One is Not the Same as the Other

A person may accidentally end up being religious. But a disciple of Jesus is a disciple on purpose. This person has had Bible instructions, causing deep thought, leading to a conviction that truth exists in what they were taught. There is truth and logic at the foundation of a disciple of Jesus. Therefore, there is a practical purpose in being a disciple and not just accidentally falling into being religious.

This purpose of being a disciple has power that leads to more profound convictions of hope. These convictions cause further changes in a person's life choices. The truth gained from the Bible concerning Jesus' teaching about living a life approved by God motivates choices that imitate the life shown by Jesus. Jesus lived His life as an example for his disciples to live. I have to know Jesus to live a life in the image of Him. Luke 2:52 should be my example. “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”

As a learner and disciple of Jesus, my life will count before God on the day of God's judgment. God will check to see how close to the Bible teaching I was living. Was I indeed a disciple of Jesus? This truth is what God will use to make his judgment in the end. If I pass the test, I will receive the "welcome in." My judgment by God will not be determined by anything that a “church body” may teach or approve.

This was my new thought; I just wrote on Facebook. 10/7/22.

Larry E. Whittington

We usually see the doctrines of man in the tradition of man. Beware of "what we have always done" as a body of Christ.