What does it mean to you to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?
Elder Neil A. Maxwell said,
"God’s greatest gift—eternal life—will be given... to... those who respond to Jesus’ invitation, “Come, follow me” (Luke 18:22)."
When Christ called out to peter and his brother Andrew while they were fishing, "they straightway left their nets and followed him "(Mathew 4:20). There is great meaning that can be found in the reaction of these two noble men.
What are the "nets" that we must drop in our own lives in order to follow Him? They can come in many different forms.
"Jealousy, resentment, and self-pity can all keep us from becoming alive in Christ."
"We [should] also be much less concerned with our public image and with what “they” think, being, instead, much more concerned with having Jesus’ image in our countenance."
Whatever nets may be holding us back, there is no sacrifice that's not worth making that would allow us to follow Jesus Christ more fully.
"There is no greater calling, no greater challenge, and no greater source of joy—both proximate joy and ultimate joy—than that which is found in the process of discipleship. This process brings its own joys and reassurances. We must not, however, expect the world to understand or to value our discipleship; they will not. In a way, they may admire us from afar, but they will be puzzled about the priorities resulting from our devotion."
In order to withstand the pressures of the world, our discipleship must come from us. It must be a true, ongoing effort summoned by our own use of the God given gift of agency. It takes more than sitting and listening and feeling good. It takes learning by faith.
When I say learning by faith I mean, for example, that nothing that you will read in this blog post will have any lasting effect on you unless you take what the Spirit of God has whispered to you and go and have your own, personal experience with the Savior's atonement. Same goes for us with any talk, or doctrine, or ordinance.
"So it is that discipleship requires all of us to translate doctrines, covenants, ordinances, and teachings into improved personal behavior. Otherwise we may be doctrinally rich but end up developmentally poor."
When we start having more and more personal experiences with the Savior's atonement shaping us into better disciples, we begin to see things clearer. One thing we see clearer is who we really are. We really start living.
"Discipleship turns on our spiritual sensitivities. It increases the “aliveness” in each of us. These sensitivities are enhanced, not diminished, with discipleship. It’s part of what the scriptures call becoming “alive in Christ because of our faith” (2 Ne. 25:25; see also Rom. 6:11; 1 Cor. 15:22). In contrast, there’s a dullness and a sameness about sin. With discipleship we learn to act for ourselves rather than merely letting ourselves be “acted upon” by circumstances (see 2 Ne. 2:13).
The more we act and learn through personal, faith driven experiences and tap into His power, the more we see who the Savior truly is.
"Shouldering the yoke of discipleship greatly enhances both our adoration and knowledge of Jesus, because then we experience, firsthand, through our parallel but smaller-scaled experiences, a small but instructive portion of what the Savior experienced. We come to know him better and better. Knowledge alone, however, is not enough for true discipleship."
Which brings us to maybe the most difficult and ongoing test of discipleship: The battle to conquer the natural man.
I think that one of the most powerful tools the adversary uses against us is the slow, and sneaky way he gets us to just go through the motions. It's true, we are stripped of power when we take for granted the amazing tools Heavenly Father has given us to grow. I have felt it as I just read my scriptures nonchalantly and pray without fervor. I've felt it when I give service without love in my heart. I've felt it when I've tried to take the easy way out of trials before learning what Heavenly Father needed me to learn. The natural man is ok with easy sailing, while the holy man inside is starved.
When we strive to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily, "then we can learn the great lessons about the relationship of righteousness to the powers and the joys of heaven.
It is left to each of us to balance contentment regarding what God has allotted to us in life with some divine discontent resulting from what we are in comparison to what we have the power to become."
Brothers and sisters, nobody is perfect and the Savior knows that. He knows better than anyone! And for that reason He blesses us for every single effort we give. Discouragement is never His desire for us. However low we feel, it's His hope that He yearns for us to hold on to.
"So, the lingering question should not be, How many imperfections do I have? but rather, Is my discipleship sufficiently serious that I am working patiently and steadily to overcome my weaknesses, perhaps even changing some of them into strengths? (see Ether 12:27)."
I testify with all my heart that He can and will change weaknesses into strengths which brings a joy like no other. A joy that is more personal than anything else.
"Of course, when it occurs in our lives, emancipation from various forms of bondage brings no celebrating parades, nor does it make the evening news. But it is big news because we “come off conqueror” (D&C 10:5)."
Now if you've felt something today in your heart, remember this quote:
“Now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them” (Mosiah 4:10). Such is still the test. Deeds, not words—and becoming, not describing—are dominant in true discipleship."
And let's remember to be patient.
Life may be full of disappointments, unexpected changes, or even bad timing or blown chances but, "in an ultimate sense our individual developmental schedules reflect God’s timetable, not ours, for God will not withhold from us certain growing experiences that He, in His infinite wisdom, allows us to undergo for our eternal benefit. His timetable, if followed, prepares us incrementally for the journey of discipleship and for going home."
So let us drop our nets, exert the necessary efforts to learn by faith, and strive to conquer the natural man. I testify that in doing so the blessings of heaven will be poured down upon us. I know that Christ lives and He knows His sheep by name.
Want to know more about how becoming a disciple of Christ can change your life for the better?
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Quotes from this blog post came from here:
