Discipleship
- Jun 26
- 5 min read
“All Christians are to be disciples/students of the One Teacher, Jesus Christ our Lord. We never lose that relationship to Christ no matter how long we have been Christian, no matter how much we have studied or taught Christianity, no matter what role we have in the Body of Christ, no matter what gifts of the Spirit have been given to us.” (Fr. Ted Bobosh)
“…three things that we need to follow Christ: Deny yourself: We must root out the bad habits that keep us from God and bring down the wall of sin and passion that separates us from God. Especially we must not cherish our sins and passions. We often have one predominant passion and once we identify it we can stop cherishing it and replace it with virtue. Take up your cross: We must embrace our suffering, sorrow, and adversities. There are exterior crosses that come to us from outside, over which we have no control, such as a sudden accident, difficulty at work, etc. Such exterior crosses by themselves are not enough, but we must have interior crosses—those which we choose to take up in conformity with the word of God. If we examine our consciences with our spiritual fathers then a thousand interior crosses will present themselves. These bring the true healing of our souls. If we bear our sufferings with submission to God, not seeking consolation in anyone but God, then He won’t abandon us or leave us without consolation. Follow the Lord: In all things we must imitate Christ. Ninety percent of His words are about how to live, while ten percent are about doctrine, the Sacraments, life after death, and so on.” (Fr. Alexey Young)
“As disciples of Christ, we are asked to follow our Lord down a hard road. Our response is crucial. Many times we say, “Yes, but first I have to. . .” Diversions abound, keeping us from growing closer to Christ. Our enemy is subtle and clever. Attentiveness is crucial for us disciples. When we answer, “Yes, Lord,” He shows the way.” (Dynamis 11/21/2020)
“We often use the expression “in Christ” or “in the Name of Christ.” What do we mean?... Whether one is “in” Christ refers to a location within a boundary such as a container. To be “in” Christ is, of course, not a physical position. It is a spiritual state of oneness with the Lord. Since it is an inner condition, no one can say whether another is “in Christ.” But one must know that by “self-examination”… to be “in” Christ” means that He becomes “our wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30). When we are “in Him,” we have the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23). When we live “outside” of the boundaries of His life, we are also “outside” the benefits of God’s grace…To conduct ourselves in the Name of Christ means that we speak and act with the divine power and authority of Christ as His disciples and servants. We consciously live as the instruments of the Lord’s peace, goodness, and love.” (Fr. Basil)
“What is more precious to you,” Christ asks, “this world with all its values, perhaps very wonderful, or eternal life? God, or something else? If Christ is really the most precious thing to us, then we will follow Him no matter what it costs us. Whoever does not follow the Lamb of God wherever He goes, cannot be called a disciple of Christ, and will not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. Perhaps the hour of decisive choice has not yet come for us, when we must either leave everything or part with Christ. But many, the Lord tells us today, will forsake Him, even if they don't want to. Everything is determined in the end by the ultimate integrity of love for God and love for the other person.” (Archpriest Alexander Shargunov)
“Most of us accommodate, don’t we? And most of us excuse our behavior because “that’s not my job.” And most of us turn the other way because “that’s not my responsibility.” And most of us plead common sense, like the priest [in the story of the Good Samaritan]. And there’s a lot of merit to that. But the radicalness of Jesus’ teaching says that we don’t, or should not, live just like other people. It’s a beautiful and costly thing to be a Christian and live a Christian life.” (Fr. John Zeyack)
“Self-denial for the sake of Christ is a mindset in which we strive to respond to His directives, rather than to our own desires. It involves a certain kind of death, both psychic and behavioral. The cost of this self-denial is a constant crucifixion of our desire for earthly gain, esteem, personal profit, independence, and pleasure. Such an attitude runs entirely counter to the self-realization fostered by our contemporary culture.” (Dynamis 9/20/2020)
“God isn’t looking for more members of the parish. God isn’t looking for religious consumers: people who come to church to get something. He’s looking for disciples: those willing to leave important things behind to follow something (Someone) of much greater importance. Discipleship is an orientation – a pattern of life – that involves commitment, action, sacrifice. The Church is a hospital where we’re healed, but St. Paul also refers to the Church as an athletic training ground and battlefield. In the end, one thing matters: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27). Love is a commitment, and not an easy one. Love means I put you first. Love entails sacrifice. Love has concrete expressions. Love is never willy-nilly, according to changing feelings and circumstances.” (Fr. Joshua Pappas)
“Thus Scripture counsels, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Prov. 4:23). Discipleship, we might say, is a way to curate your heart, to be attentive to and intentional about what you love.” (James Smith)
“Let's face it. If the Kingdom of God is worth anything, it's worth everything. We are called upon by Christ Himself to lay down everything that would keep us from entering it. That is why Jesus compared the Kingdom of God to a treasure hidden in a field. Once we realize the incredible value of that precious piece, we will sell everything we have to obtain it. This divesting of our private holdings is exactly what repentance means. We give up what we must not keep for the incomparable riches of Jesus Christ. This cost to us is the greatest bargain we can ever know.” (Fr. Peter Gillquist)
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