FIVE MARKS OF AN AUTHENTIC DISCIPLE

How to distinguish between the important, non-negotiable characteristics of a disciple and the less significant traits.

Our fingers can serve as useful mnemonics to help us remember five important marks of a true disciple:

Thumb: This finger forms a stable grip with every other finger of the hand in order to pick up objects, an action called opposition. Thus, the thumb acts like a SERVANT of sorts, in touch with the needs of everyone else.

Index finger: This points the way, a fitting description for the WORD, a lamp to our feet, a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). It also tells us that teachers are to be honoured for they point the correct way for others to follow (1 Timothy 5:17, Ezra 7:10).

Middle finger: Because it is the longest of them all, it reaches out in LOVE to others, bears all things, and hopes all things (1 Corinthians 13:7).

Ring finger: A ring signifies a union between a man and woman in holy matrimony. What comes next after marriage? Children. So this finger is to remind us to be FRUITFUL. Not only bear fruit, but much fruit (Luke 8:8).

Little finger: This is the shortest and most diminutive. So it is a symbol of SELF-DENIAL. He must increase, I must decrease (John 3:30).

                                                                     

SERVANTHOOD

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Mark 10: 45

FAITHFULNESS TO THE WORD

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

John 8: 31-32

LOVE

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:35

FRUITFULNESS

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

John 15:8

SELF-DENIAL

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Luke 9: 23

Now that we are acquainted with the five important attributes of a disciple, what are the other qualities that are good to have but not so essential for a disciple?

Eloquence, charisma, magnetic personality, ability to perform miracles, interpersonal and relational skills are some of these helpful—and much sought after—but less critical qualities of a disciple.

A believer with all the thunder, "bells and whistles", crowd appeal and miracle working ability might eventually be shut out from heaven, being told “I never knew you”:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

(Matthew 7:21-23)

By the way, would we fault a believer if he or she is more like Mother Teresa, if she does not have the qualities found in charismatic leaders who are able to mesmerise the crowd and perform miracles?

Why do we continue to clap, cheer and absolve a leader who embezzles church funds just because he has charisma on stage? http://goo.gl/5tBN8S

Why do we put on a pedestal those qualities that pale into insignificance without the key element of love? 

“And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2).

Finally, what do you think is the true measure of a disciple? Is it based on his eloquence, public image or popularity as judged by the number of followers and ‘likes’ he gets on social media? Does it rest on how much anointing or power he has? Or how many spectacular miraculous feats he can perform? Are there not other important considerations such as character, intimacy with God, obedience, self-denial and faithfulness? The foregoing does not imply that charisma and spiritual gifts are unimportant. The moral of the story is that we must not put the cart before the horse. http://goo.gl/gTxXmP

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WHAT TRULY MATTERS IN THE END

At the end of our lives when we stand before the judgment seat, what do you think are the qualities that matter most?

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CHARISMA vs. CHARACTER

Charisma may take us places but it takes character to keep us there or prevent us from falling. When we attain fame, fortune and power, will we be able to hold on to the values we once cherished as dear?

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MARKS OF A LEADER

 Leadership lessons gleaned from Nehemiah’s life—the six S’s

Imagine a “nobody” with the courage to lead a group of people to rebuild a city wall in a faraway land. Few among his peers—whether they were somebody or nobody—would ever dare attempt such a great exploit. That’s why Nehemiah, a king’s cupbearer, never fails to inspire me when the subject of leadership crops up.

http://goo.gl/jTHJ5L

FEET OF CLAY

As leaders are the key people who make or break an organisation, they certainly deserve our respect and support. But we should not “idolise” them to the extent we think they can do no wrong even in the face of glaring evidence to the contrary. Like all men, they too are weak and fallible.

http://goo.gl/5tBN8S