“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” – John 6:44
Comment: Have you received the call of God? Have you accepted the call? If your answers are in the affirmative, then show that you are genuinely a follower of Jesus Christ.
The Holy Writ gives the understanding that a true disciple of Jesus Christ must first be called and be taught the word of God, the Truth which he/she has to accept (John 10:26-28). Christ stated “It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. (John 6:45). Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, 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.” (John 8:31,32). “If the Son therefore, shall make you free ye shall be free indeed.”- Verse 36.
Having accepted the truth, a true disciple of Jesus Christ must be prepared to deny himself to follow Christ. “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”(Matthew 16:24) To take up one’s cross means one must be ready to suffer for the sake of Jesus just as he did to redeem man from sin and death. Said St. Peter, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” – 1 Peter 2:21-24.
A true disciple shows he loves God by obedience to the Truth of our Lord Jesus Christ brought to the world (John 14:15) and loves his neighbour. Said Jesus Christ, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”(John 13:34,35). St. Paul stated “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. – Romans 13:10; see also 1 Cor.13:1-8,13.
Always show by words and deeds that you are a true disciple of Jesus Christ and you will be richly blessed now and forever with salvation or eternal life.- 1 Peter 1:9; etc.
Prayer: Our Father in Heaven help us to be true followers of our Lord Jesus Christ so that we will be blessed abundantly in this world and in the world to come, salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.