Lifestyle of Disciples
When we walk life's journey as steadfast disciples of Jesus, we will become more and more like our Master. Here are twelve lifestyle changes you should expect to experience in increasing measure each day. Meditate on and memorize these verses so you can bring them to mind at any time.
1. Christ Above All
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:31-33
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
Seek first to know what Jesus would have you concerned about and do not let the worries of life distract you from following Jesus. Following Jesus will mean personal sacrifice as you obey His calling.
2. Love for others
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:34-35
Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
1 John 3:18
Your love for others, especially fellow Christians, is a powerful influence on others around you. The fact that Jesus describes this as a new commandment highlights its importance for new believers.
3. Purity of Life
But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.
Ephesians 5:3
Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
1 Peter 2:11
Seek the grace of your Living God for the strength to escape the addictions that destroy the lives of many, flee these temptations and seek purity in all your relationships.
4. Faith in God
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrew 11:6
No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
1 Peter 2:11
Faith is not some mystical gift that enables some to believe in God but not others who do not have this gift called faith. Faith is whether you choose to believe that God exists or not, and putting your trust in Him if you do believe in Him.
5. Humble Attitude
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.
1 Peter 5:5-6
Imitating the humility of Jesus who gave up his own life so that others may live, new disciples will grow in the ability to see the worth of every person they know and meet and to encourage others.
6. Renewed Thinking
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
1 John 2:15-16
Filling your minds with the messages of the Bible will enable you to think differently to those who do not know God. That will help new disciples to find God's will for their lives.
7. Serving Others
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45
For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.
2 Corinthians 4:5
We are servants but not slaves. It means we are more to focus on what others need rather than what they want. Useful servants often end up in leadership roles for the awareness they develop of other peoples needs.
8. Be Generous
Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the first fruits of all your produce;
then your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine.
Proverbs 3:9-10
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Be careful of thinking of God like a vending machine; that is, the more you give away for God, the more God will give you! Such a person is a greedy giver, not a cheerful giver.
9. Be Honest
You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another.
Leviticus 19:11
So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.
Acts 24:16
Honesty is not only being able to speak truthfully, it is also being able to see what is the truth really is. This is especially hard where faults are in your own life, and it is even harder again to admit your own faults to others.
10. Do Good works
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6:9-10
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
Good works do not earn your salvation, only through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross can you receive salvation. Good works coming from a heart full of thankfulness for salvation, however, bring much glory to God.
11. Have Global Vision
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Acts 1:8
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20
It is the role of the Holy Spirit to change peoples' hearts, you cannot change the hearts of others. Your role is to share the story of your spiritual journey and to teach those who are willing to hear you. Start in your own home (Jerusalem), then your local community (Judea), then places further afield (Samaria) and then to the ends of the earth.
12. Be Steadfast
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
Hebrews 12:3
As servants of Jesus Christ you may expect life to throw many challenges at you. Do not be dismayed when things do not always work out. Focus on serving Jesus who alone gives you the strength to go the full distance. Aim to finish your life's race as a disciple as well as you have started in that race.