From the desk of Pastor Ben

Defining False Disciples

Therefore, many of His disciples, when they heard this said, “This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?”         (John 6:60)

To be called a disciple doesn’t necessarily mean that someone truly followed Christ. The “disciples” here were superficially attracted by divine miracles and the hope for deliverance from Rome. But Jesus would soon reveal their true status. When hearing His demanding teaching about the Bread of Life and salvation residing only in Him, they were unwilling to commit to it. It finally dawned on them that following Jesus meant more than just tagging along with Him as thrill seekers as He performed miracles.

The people’s reaction is typical of false disciples — as long as Jesus was just a source of various free entitlements (miracles), the selfish disciples thronged to the Lord. But when He pressed them about their sin, their need for repentance, and the necessity to follow Him with their whole hearts (Luke 9:23-25), they found His words to be objectionable and unacceptable.

False disciples are okay with Jesus as the Christmas baby, the moral reformer, or the ideal human role model, but they are unwilling to receive the biblical Jesus; the divine Son and Savior who warns sinners of hell and tells them salvation comes only through faith in Him (John 5:24). Those who reject Christ and His teachings fail Jesus’ own test of genuine discipleship: “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine” (John 8:31). Regular obedience to the Lord’s words always defines the true disciple (1 John 2:3-5).

Ask Yourself:
How many of the people you encounter in life are fine with attaching Jesus (or at least the portions of Him they like and approve) onto their own package of belief systems? What are the big questions this leaves unanswered as they try to live out their desires for a fulfilling life?