I thought of two traditional descriptions that accurately reflect what a disciple is, but they do not fully define the profound quality of life made possible by reconnection with God. By looking at these definitions, however, perhaps we can see what lies beyond them.
1.
A disciple does certain things.
2.
A disciple understands certain
things.
A disciple
does certain things. This view of a disciple emphasizes discipline and
obedience. You demonstrate that you are a follower of Christ by trying to live as
He lived and by carrying out His commands. A disciple does “good things,” such
as quiet times, evangelism, involvement with other believers, and social justice
work. We feel deep concern for righteousness, whether personal or cultural.
A disciple
understands certain things. This view of a disciple emphasizes accurate
thinking and insight concerning God, people, salvation, and so on. The theory
is that if you think correctly about the important things, then the rest of your
life will assume the proper prospective. A disciple must understand that God is
both holy and loving; that people, though sinners, are made in the image of God;
that Christ’s death was the substitute payment for our sin; and that because of
Jesus’ payment, we are granted access to the heart of God.
This
view holds that we can acquire a substantial understanding of God’s redemptive
work, which enables us to correctly see Him and our position in Him. An
extension of this view is that we can also gain a substantial understanding of our
own lives, our personal history and family background. This understanding enables
us to make progress in our relationship with Christ. For instance, understanding
that your father’s past ridicule has hobbled your self-image helps you begin to
confidently give yourself to others.
The Dilemma of
Defining Relationship
The
dilemma with defining a disciple is that you are not defining a static object
that stands alone and possesses such and such properties. Rather, you are defining
a person who is in relationship with another person. A disciple is defined by
his or her relationship with God.
The
two traditional descriptions discussed above do reflect some of the work and
fruit of a disciple, but they are incomplete. A disciple should never be described
in terms of things, even if those things are behaviors and ideas. It is possible,
after all, to do right things and have accurate answers, and yet be very far away
from God. A disciple is best described not in terms of relationship with things,
but in terms of relationship with God
Himself.
God
desires our passionate love — this is the great appeal and command of the whole
of Scripture, and the endpoint of the Gospel. As a result, our definition of a
disciple should be no less.
Yes,
a disciple does and understands certain things. Yet far more fundamentally and
profoundly, a disciple loves a certain
Someone. A disciple is someone growing in adoration of and love for God,
and subsequently in love for other people. Such a person is other-centered
because his or her focus is on God.
If love for God is the definition of a disciple,
then how do we develop love for God and others? All the implications of our
strategy for “developing disciples” stem from the answer to that question. The
better we can answer it, the better we will be in helping others to mature in
Christ.