Who Will You Be?

A choice stands before you. You get to choose who you will be. In fact, every day you make that choice. Just like the choice posed in Joshua 24:15. Each week for the next few weeks, we'll look at two options that we face as individuals and the decision we must make to choose one or the other. So which will you choose?

Will you be a disciple or a prodigal?

A Disciple:

A disciple literally means one who learns. A disciple of Christ is not just a pupil, but an adherent to His instruction and an imitator of the Master. I realize it's a culture shift for us to imagine sitting under a Rabbi and totally submitting to His authority in order to learn and grow. But that's exactly what Jesus is talking about.

So what does it take to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? In John chapter 8 verses 31-32, Jesus explained, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." We must "abide" or dwell in God's word. Live in it and by it. This is the mark of a true disciple.

Jesus also said this in John chapter 13 verse 35, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." The first thing we need to learn and understand to be a disciple of Christ is how to love others. Jesus said this is how the world will identify His disciples, that they (like their Master) show love for people.

Finally Jesus assured his followers in John chapter 15 verses 7-8, "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples." Here's the bottom line: disciples of Christ bear fruit. When you follow the Master and submit to His instruction, your life displays the evidence. The more you follow the Master, the more you become like Him, and the more you point others to God's glory.

A Prodigal:

The word prodigal refers to a wasteful lifestyle. The term is often used to describe the son from Luke chapter 15 who took from his father his share of the inheritance money and wasted it on indulgent living. He chose to trade his relationship with his father for money, leave his family behind, and waste what he had been given on temporary worldly pleasures. You see selfishness fuels the prodigal lifestyle.

If you are not moving forward as a disciple of Christ, then you are living as a prodigal. There is no middle ground. While disciples learn, follow instruction, and love others, prodigals do the opposite: they refuse to listen, follow their own lust, and love themselves.

God has entrusted us with many wonderful gifts. But the Bible reveals a pattern with how we should respond to the gifts of God. God loves us so that we may love Him and love others. We are forgiven; therefore, we forgive others. Christ showed us love, grace, and mercy by dying for us; therefore, we choose to live a worshipful life for Him. If we become selfish and think only of ourselves, we miss our true purpose. And our life (our greatest gift) gets wasted.