Chase Snyder | Co-Pastor, FBC Loganville
Unmasking the True Disciple: Key Marks of a Follower of Jesus
In a world where faith is often reduced to mere lip service, it's crucial to understand the true markers of a disciple of Christ. Far beyond surface-level religiosity, the life of a genuine follower of Jesus is defined by a deep, transformative relationship with Jesus. As we dive into the Scriptures, we uncover five distinct marks of those who follow Jesus.
1. Known by Jesus
At the heart of discipleship lies the profound truth that we are known by Jesus. This is not a passing acquaintance or a superficial familiarity, but a relational knowledge. Just as the Father knows the Son and the Son knows the Father, so too does Jesus know His own followers (John 10:14-15). This intimate connection is the foundation upon which our faith is built, for it is in this knowledge that we find our identity, our purpose, and our eternal security.
Yet, the call to be known by Jesus is not one-sided. It requires our active response, a decision to surrender our lives and accept Him as our Lord and Savior. This moment of confession and salvation is a pivotal turning point, where we turn from our own ways and embrace the forgiveness and new life that only Christ can offer. It is in this act of repentance and faith that we are welcomed into the family of God and adopted as co-heirs with Jesus.
2. Walking with Jesus
The journey of discipleship does not end with the initial decision to follow Christ. Rather, it is a daily, lifelong pursuit of walking in step with the Savior. As Jesus declared, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23). This call to self-denial and cross-bearing is not a one-time event but a continual process of surrendering our own agendas and aligning our lives with the will of God.
For the faithful follower, this means cultivating spiritual disciplines—such as prayer, Bible study, and worship—that cultivate our relationship with the Lord. It's a battle against the ever-present temptation to drift toward self-centeredness and worldly distractions. We have a daily choice to fix our eyes on Jesus and allow His transformative power to shape our hearts and minds.
3. Living in Community
Discipleship is not a solitary pursuit. The Scriptures make it clear that the life of a follower of Jesus is meant to be lived in community with other believers. As the writer of Hebrews exhorts, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (Hebrews 10:23-25).
The Christian faith is not meant to be a private, individualistic endeavor. Rather, it is a communal journey, where we find strength, accountability, and mutual encouragement in the context of biblical fellowship. Whether it's through small groups, Bible studies, or intentional relationships, followers of Jesus recognize the vital importance of connecting with others who are also striving to walk the narrow path of discipleship.
4. Serving Like Jesus
As we grow in our relationship with Christ and deepen our involvement in the community of believers, the natural outworking of our faith becomes evident in the way we serve others. Just as Jesus Himself came "not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45), so too are we called to emulate His example of sacrificial love and selfless service.
This may take on a variety of forms, from volunteering in the local church to serving the underprivileged in our communities to using our unique gifts and talents to further the Kingdom of God. Regardless of the specific expression, followers of Jesus are marked by a heart that is eager to give, to love, and to make a tangible difference in the lives of those around them.
5. Sharing About Jesus
Finally, the true disciple of Christ is one who is compelled to share the Good News of the gospel with others. Just as the early believers in Acts "went about preaching the word" (Acts 8:4), so too are we called to be bold witnesses of the transformative power of Jesus. Every Christians’ mission is to share the gospel of Jesus with others.
We must recognize that the message of salvation is not meant to be hoarded but freely shared. It is a message of redemption, restoration, and eternal life that must be proclaimed to a world in desperate need of the Savior. By embracing this call to share the gospel, we not only fulfill the Great Commission but also experience the profound joy of seeing lives transformed by the love of Christ.
Embracing the Call to Discipleship
As we consider these five marks of a faithful follower of Jesus, it's important to remember that the Christian life is not a static or perfected state, but rather a dynamic, ever-growing journey. Each day, we are faced with the choice to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow the Savior, trusting that He will continue to shape and mold us into the likeness of Christ.
In the face of a world that often values self-reliance and independence, the call to discipleship may seem daunting or even counterintuitive. Yet, it is in this surrender of our own agendas that we find true freedom, purpose, and the abundant life that Jesus promised. By embracing these five marks of a follower, we not only honor the Lord but also experience the profound joy and fulfillment that come from walking in step with the One who knows us, loves us, and has called us to be His own.
Cultivating a Life of Discipleship
So, let us consider the state of our own hearts and lives.
The journey of discipleship is not an easy one, but it is a path that leads to the fullness of life in Christ.
In a world where faith is often reduced to mere lip service, it's crucial to understand the true markers of a disciple of Christ. Far beyond surface-level religiosity, the life of a genuine follower of Jesus is defined by a deep, transformative relationship with Jesus. As we dive into the Scriptures, we uncover five distinct marks of those who follow Jesus.
1. Known by Jesus
At the heart of discipleship lies the profound truth that we are known by Jesus. This is not a passing acquaintance or a superficial familiarity, but a relational knowledge. Just as the Father knows the Son and the Son knows the Father, so too does Jesus know His own followers (John 10:14-15). This intimate connection is the foundation upon which our faith is built, for it is in this knowledge that we find our identity, our purpose, and our eternal security.
Yet, the call to be known by Jesus is not one-sided. It requires our active response, a decision to surrender our lives and accept Him as our Lord and Savior. This moment of confession and salvation is a pivotal turning point, where we turn from our own ways and embrace the forgiveness and new life that only Christ can offer. It is in this act of repentance and faith that we are welcomed into the family of God and adopted as co-heirs with Jesus.
2. Walking with Jesus
The journey of discipleship does not end with the initial decision to follow Christ. Rather, it is a daily, lifelong pursuit of walking in step with the Savior. As Jesus declared, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23). This call to self-denial and cross-bearing is not a one-time event but a continual process of surrendering our own agendas and aligning our lives with the will of God.
For the faithful follower, this means cultivating spiritual disciplines—such as prayer, Bible study, and worship—that cultivate our relationship with the Lord. It's a battle against the ever-present temptation to drift toward self-centeredness and worldly distractions. We have a daily choice to fix our eyes on Jesus and allow His transformative power to shape our hearts and minds.
3. Living in Community
Discipleship is not a solitary pursuit. The Scriptures make it clear that the life of a follower of Jesus is meant to be lived in community with other believers. As the writer of Hebrews exhorts, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (Hebrews 10:23-25).
The Christian faith is not meant to be a private, individualistic endeavor. Rather, it is a communal journey, where we find strength, accountability, and mutual encouragement in the context of biblical fellowship. Whether it's through small groups, Bible studies, or intentional relationships, followers of Jesus recognize the vital importance of connecting with others who are also striving to walk the narrow path of discipleship.
4. Serving Like Jesus
As we grow in our relationship with Christ and deepen our involvement in the community of believers, the natural outworking of our faith becomes evident in the way we serve others. Just as Jesus Himself came "not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45), so too are we called to emulate His example of sacrificial love and selfless service.
This may take on a variety of forms, from volunteering in the local church to serving the underprivileged in our communities to using our unique gifts and talents to further the Kingdom of God. Regardless of the specific expression, followers of Jesus are marked by a heart that is eager to give, to love, and to make a tangible difference in the lives of those around them.
5. Sharing About Jesus
Finally, the true disciple of Christ is one who is compelled to share the Good News of the gospel with others. Just as the early believers in Acts "went about preaching the word" (Acts 8:4), so too are we called to be bold witnesses of the transformative power of Jesus. Every Christians’ mission is to share the gospel of Jesus with others.
We must recognize that the message of salvation is not meant to be hoarded but freely shared. It is a message of redemption, restoration, and eternal life that must be proclaimed to a world in desperate need of the Savior. By embracing this call to share the gospel, we not only fulfill the Great Commission but also experience the profound joy of seeing lives transformed by the love of Christ.
Embracing the Call to Discipleship
As we consider these five marks of a faithful follower of Jesus, it's important to remember that the Christian life is not a static or perfected state, but rather a dynamic, ever-growing journey. Each day, we are faced with the choice to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow the Savior, trusting that He will continue to shape and mold us into the likeness of Christ.
In the face of a world that often values self-reliance and independence, the call to discipleship may seem daunting or even counterintuitive. Yet, it is in this surrender of our own agendas that we find true freedom, purpose, and the abundant life that Jesus promised. By embracing these five marks of a follower, we not only honor the Lord but also experience the profound joy and fulfillment that come from walking in step with the One who knows us, loves us, and has called us to be His own.
Cultivating a Life of Discipleship
So, let us consider the state of our own hearts and lives.
- Are we truly known by Jesus, or do we merely profess a surface-level familiarity with the Savior?
- Are we actively walking with Him, denying ourselves, and taking up our cross daily?
- Do we find strength, accountability, and encouragement in the community of believers, or have we isolated ourselves from the Body of Christ?
- Are we using our time, talents, and resources to serve others and further the Kingdom of God?
- And are we boldly sharing the Good News of the gospel, inviting others to experience the transformative power of Christ?
The journey of discipleship is not an easy one, but it is a path that leads to the fullness of life in Christ.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chase Snyder
Pastor Chase is a Co-Pastor at FBC Loganville. He and his wife, Annie, and their two kids have been at FBC Loganville since 2017. His heart is to help people faithfully follow Jesus. Chase loves spending time with his family, being outdoors, drinking strong coffee, reading, and cheering on the Tennessee Volunteers.