Back to Basics: Christian Living: The Call & Foundations of Christian Discipleship

The Heart of Discipleship: A Personal Relationship with Christ

At the heart of Christian faith lies not merely belief, but a transformative journey of discipleship. Jesus Christ did not simply call people to acknowledge Him; He invited them into a radical way of life that demands everything yet promises abundant fulfilment. Understanding the call to discipleship and its foundational principles is essential for anyone seeking to follow Christ authentically.

The Call to Discipleship

When Jesus began His earthly ministry, He extended a simple yet profound invitation: "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19, KJV). This call was not to casual observers or mere admirers, but to those willing to leave everything behind. The fishermen who heard these words "straightway left their nets" (Matthew 4:20, KJV), demonstrating the immediate and total response that discipleship requires.

The invitation to follow Jesus is both gracious and demanding, offering a relationship with the living God. It is demanding because it requires us to count the cost. Jesus Himself was explicit about this: "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:26, KJV). This striking language does not advocate literal hatred, but rather emphasises that our devotion to Christ must supersede all earthly relationships.

Jesus continued, "And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:27, KJV). In the ancient world, bearing one's cross meant walking towards certain death. For the disciple, it signifies dying to self-will, personal ambition, and worldly comfort. Before embarking on this path, Jesus urges us to count the cost: "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?" (Luke 14:28, KJV).

There exists a crucial distinction between being a believer and being a disciple. Many profess faith in Christ, yet their lives remain unchanged. True discipleship, however, involves transformation. Jesus declared, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed" (John 8:31, KJV). The test of genuine discipleship is not momentary enthusiasm but enduring obedience.

Surrendering all to Christ as Lord is the hallmark of authentic discipleship. Jesus stated unequivocally, "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:33, KJV). This surrender is not merely intellectual assent but a practical reorientation of one's entire life around the lordship of Christ. As Paul wrote, "ye are not your own… ye are bought with a price" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, KJV).

Foundations of Discipleship

Once we have embraced the call to discipleship, we must understand the foundations upon which this life is built. These foundations ensure that our discipleship is not built on shifting sand but on the solid rock of Christ.

Central to discipleship is abiding in Christ and His Word. Jesus used the metaphor of the vine and branches: "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me" (John 15:4, KJV). This abiding relationship is not optional for fruitfulness; it is essential. Jesus continued, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5, KJV). Our spiritual vitality depends entirely on remaining connected to Christ through continuous fellowship and obedience to His Word.

Faith, repentance, and baptism form the gateway into discipleship. Faith is essential: "without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6, KJV). Repentance involves a complete change of mind and direction. Peter proclaimed, "Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38, KJV). Baptism symbolises our death to the old life and resurrection to new life in Christ, as Paul explains: "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4, KJV).

Receiving and being filled with the Holy Spirit is fundamental to victorious Christian living. Jesus promised, "ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you" (Acts 1:8, KJV). The Holy Spirit is our Comforter, Teacher, and Guide. Paul exhorted believers, "be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18, KJV), indicating that this is not a one-time event but an ongoing experience. The Spirit enables us to live the supernatural life that discipleship demands.

Developing a life of prayer and communion with God establishes our daily walk with Him. Jesus modelled this perfectly, often withdrawing to solitary places to pray (Luke 5:16 KJV). Paul instructed, "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17, KJV), suggesting that prayer should be the atmosphere in which we constantly live. Through prayer, we maintain intimate fellowship with our Father, present our requests, and align our will with His.

Finally, regular study and meditation on Scripture nourishes our souls and renews our minds. The psalmist declared, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" (Psalm 119:11, KJV). Paul reminded Timothy that "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:16-17, KJV). The Word of God is our spiritual food, our lamp unto our feet, and our guide for righteous living.

The call to discipleship is the highest calling any person can receive. It demands everything but offers everything in return. As we embrace this call, count the cost, and surrender wholly to Christ as Lord, we embark on the most meaningful journey possible. By abiding in Christ, exercising faith and repentance, being filled with the Spirit, maintaining fervent prayer, and immersing ourselves in Scripture, we build our lives on foundations that will withstand every storm. May we, like those first disciples, respond with wholehearted devotion: "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life" (John 6:68, KJV).

Key Takeaways

• Discipleship requires total commitment - Jesus calls us to follow Him wholeheartedly, putting Him above all earthly relationships and personal ambitions (Matthew 4:19 KJV, Luke 14:26-27 KJV)
• Count the cost before committing - True discipleship demands we surrender everything to Christ as Lord, requiring us to carefully consider what following Him truly means (Luke 14:28, 33 KJV)
• Abiding in Christ is essential for fruitfulness - Like branches connected to the vine, we can do nothing without remaining in close relationship with Jesus (John 15:4-5 KJV)
• The foundations are non-negotiable - Faith, repentance, baptism, being filled with the Holy Spirit, prayer, and Scripture study form the bedrock of authentic Christian discipleship
• There's a difference between believing and following - Many profess faith, but genuine discipleship is proven through continuing in Christ's Word and enduring obedience (John 8:31KJV)
• The Holy Spirit empowers our walk - We cannot live the supernatural life of discipleship in our own strength; we need the Spirit's power and ongoing filling (Acts 1:8, Ephesians 5:18 KJV)