Discipleship: A Guide to Christlike Living

Discipleship is not merely a casual commitment or a passing phase—it’s a lifelong journey of transformation, a radical call to follow in the footsteps of Christ. To be a disciple is to embark on a path that demands our entire being, a path that reshapes our priorities, values, and even way of life. But what are the marks of an authentic disciple? Let’s explore the dimensions of this profound calling.

1) A Deepening Relationship with God

At the heart of discipleship lies an ever-deepening relationship with God. As disciples, we are invited to cultivate an intimate connection with our Creator, one marked by a growing sense of fear, love, and obedience.

Fear, in this context, is not a crippling terror but a reverent awe—a recognition of God’s holiness and majesty that inspires us to walk humbly before Him. Love, on the other hand, is the driving force that propels us to seek Him, to delight in His presence, and to surrender our lives to His will.

Obedience flows from this love, as we align our desires with His commands, allowing His Word to shape our thoughts, actions, and decisions. As we walk in obedience, our awe and wonder for God grow, fuelling our worship and adoration.

Moreover, discipleship involves growing Christlikeness, where we are transformed from glory to glory by the power of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). We become increasingly sensitive to the Spirit’s promptings, allowing Him to mould us into the image of our Saviour.

As we walk in obedience, our awe and wonder for God grow exponentially, fuelling a profound sense of worship and adoration. We become increasingly captivated by the mysteries of the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each Person’s unique role and perfect unity inspiring us to prostrate our hearts in reverent worship.

Our love for God deepens as we meditate on His attributes and behold His majesty. We are drawn by His unfailing love, overwhelmed by His grace, and enamoured by His holiness. This love propels us to offer our lives as living sacrifices, an act of spiritual worship that is our true and proper response to such a worthy God (Romans 12:1).

2) Spiritual Growth and Maturity

Discipleship is a journey of spiritual growth into maturity, where we are called to leave behind the ways of spiritual infancy and press on toward the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13). This growth involves a deepening understanding of God’s Word, sharpening of our discernment, and a steadfast commitment to pursue righteousness.

As we study the Scriptures, we are equipped with the wisdom and knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities of life and to stand firm against the schemes of the enemy. Our faith is strengthened, our hope is renewed, and our love for God and others is deepened.

Spiritual maturity also manifests itself in the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These virtues become increasingly evident in our lives, testifying to the transformative power of Christ within us.

Our love for God and others is supernaturally amplified, reflecting the very essence of Christ’s command to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbour as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31).

3) Empowerment for Witness, Ministry, and Service

Discipleship is not merely a personal pursuit; it is a calling to engage in the Great Commission, to be witnesses of Christ’s love and power to the world (Matthew 28:19-20). As we grow in our relationship with God and spiritual maturity, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to be effective ambassadors for the Kingdom.

This empowerment equips us for various forms of ministry and service, whether it is sharing the gospel, teaching God’s Word, serving the poor and marginalized, or advocating for justice and righteousness in our communities.

By walking in obedience and surrender, we become vessels through which God’s love, grace, and power can flow, impacting lives and advancing His Kingdom purposes in the world.

4) A Growing Victory over Temptation and Sin

The path of discipleship is not an easy one; it involves an ongoing battle against the allure of sin and the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil. However, as we abide in Christ and submit to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we experience growing victory over these forces.

Through prayer, fasting, and the study of God’s Word, we are equipped with the spiritual armour necessary to stand firm against the enemy’s schemes (Ephesians 6:10-18). We learn to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5), and to rely on the power of the cross to overcome the sinful patterns that once held us captive.

As we walk in the light and confess our sins, we find cleansing and restoration (1 John 1:9), and our hearts are increasingly purified, enabling us to resist temptation and live in accordance with God’s holy standards.

5) Growing Community and Accountability

Discipleship is not a solitary journey; it is one that is best undertaken in the context of a vibrant community of believers. The body of Christ serves as a vital support system, providing encouragement, accountability, and a safe space for spiritual growth.

Within this community, we find brothers and sisters who sharpen us, challenge us, and spur us on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24-25). We are held accountable for our actions, our attitudes, and our spiritual progress, ensuring we do not stray from the path or become complacent in our walk with Christ.

Moreover, the community of believers provides a rich environment for the exercise of spiritual gifts, where each member contributes to the edification and growth of the whole (1 Corinthians 12:7). Together, we encourage one another, bear one another’s burdens, and collectively navigate the challenges of discipleship.

6) Increasing Diligence in Communion with God

Another vital mark of authentic discipleship is an increasing diligence in communion with God through consistent Bible reading and prayer. As we grow in our faith as disciples, we develop a deepening hunger for God’s Word, recognizing it as the essential spiritual nourishment for our souls (Matthew 4:4). Regular, intentional time for Bible study becomes not just a duty but a delight, as we discover the riches of God’s wisdom and the depths of His love within its pages. Simultaneously, our prayer routine evolves from mere occasional requests to an ongoing conversation with God, marked by adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. This two-way communication—listening to God through His Word and speaking to Him in prayer—forms the bedrock of a vibrant, growing relationship with the Lord. As we prioritize these spiritual disciplines, we find ourselves increasingly attuned to God’s voice, guided by His wisdom, and transformed by His truth (Romans 12:2).

7) Growing Awareness of God’s Presence and Power

As we journey deeper into discipleship, our awareness of God’s presence and power becomes increasingly profound. We begin to recognize His hand at work in our lives and in the world around us, and we develop a heightened sensitivity to His leading and guidance.

This awareness cultivates trust and dependence on God, as we learn to rely on His strength and wisdom in every circumstance. We come to understand that apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5), and we embrace the reality that His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

As our awareness grows, so does our capacity for awe, wonder, and worship. We become increasingly struck by the grandeur of God’s works, the intricacies of His creation, and the vastness of His eternal purposes. Our hearts overflow with praise and adoration as we catch glimpses of His majesty and experience the manifestations of His power.

This ever-deepening awareness of the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—working in perfect unity, fuels our worship and magnifies our love. We are drawn to extol the Father’s infinite wisdom, to exalt the Son’s redeeming work, and to embrace the Spirit’s transforming power. Worship becomes the natural overflow of a heart captivated by the glory of God.

The journey of discipleship is a transformative one, a radical call to surrender our lives fully to Christ and to walk in His ways. It is a path that demands our all, but one that promises immeasurable rewards—a deeper intimacy with God, spiritual growth and maturity, empowerment for witness and service, victory over sin, a rich community of support, and a growing awareness of God’s presence and power. Embrace this journey, for it leads to the fullness of life that Christ himself promised (John 10:10).

Resemblance to the Master: Real Mark of an Authentic Disciple

The journey of discipleship is not about attaining perfection—it is about being headed in the right direction. We will stumble, we will face setbacks, and we will encounter moments of weakness and doubt. Yet, in those moments, we are called to return our gaze to Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Discipleship is a lifelong process of being continually shaped and moulded by the Potter’s hands (Jeremiah 18:6). It is a journey marked by progress, not perfection—a journey where we learn to extend grace to ourselves and others, while remaining steadfast in our pursuit of Christ-likeness.

Let us not be discouraged by our missteps or overwhelmed by the enormity of the call. Instead, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, taking one step at a time, trusting in His faithfulness to complete the good work He has begun in us (Philippians 1:6). For it is in the daily choices, the small victories, and the unwavering pursuit of His heart that we become true disciples, transformed from glory to glory into the very image of our Saviour.

So let us press on, secure in the knowledge our faithful God will hold us fast, guiding us ever closer to Himself, until that glorious day when we stand perfected in His presence, having run the race and kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). Discipleship is a lifelong marathon, but one worth every step, for the prize is Christ Himself—our ultimate treasure, our eternal reward.

Related Reads:

• Discipleship: Not Your Ordinary Job Description
• The Cost of Discipleship: Lessons from Luke 14
• How May Ordinary, Timid Christians Stand Up to Persecution?
• The Prosperity Gospel’s Lies and the True Cost of Discipleship
• Fruit of the Spirit: The Nine Marks of True Christian Maturity