{"id":2210,"date":"2015-06-16T11:04:35","date_gmt":"2015-06-16T15:04:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/prayerplainandsimple\/?p=2210"},"modified":"2015-06-16T11:04:35","modified_gmt":"2015-06-16T15:04:35","slug":"am-i-a-disciple-of-jesus-or-not","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/prayerplainandsimple\/2015\/06\/am-i-a-disciple-of-jesus-or-not.html","title":{"rendered":"Am I a Disciple of Jesus? …Or Not?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. (2 Corinthians 13:5)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

I, Jill, was always good at showing up for tests in school (though not necessarily skilled at learning the materials and integrating it into my memory for future reference). But for years I didn’t even think I needed to show up for the most important test \u2013 the test of whether or not I was a true follower of Jesus. After all, I had been at church three times a week since I was conceived. After all, I was a Pastor\u2019s wife. Doesn\u2019t that count for something? I had loads of the Bible committed to memory. I could say it, sing it, and spill it on anyone and everyone. Isn’t that impressive enough to render me exempt from any exams?<\/span><\/p>\n

Nope.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s a little test that Jesus gave His followers. Feel free to take it. Or fake it. It\u2019s up to you.<\/span><\/p>\n

TRUE OR FALSE:<\/span><\/p>\n

1. \u00a0I genuinely love people. (See John 13:35) This means I freely forgive, I refuse to be offended, I love people that don\u2019t love me back, and I strive to only speak words that are loving. I believe the best in others, ignoring gossip and even evidence of others\u2019 sins. With God\u2019s help I have forgiven what some people would consider unforgivable and certainly would have been without the grace of God in my life. (TRUE\/FALSE)<\/span><\/p>\n

2. \u00a0I live a productive life. (See John 15:8) I am so connected to Jesus that his life-giving blessings flow to me so that like a branch on a fruit tree, I continually bear fruit for others to enjoy. This makes me an upbeat person to be around and one that people can count on for encouragement. (TRUE\/FALSE)<\/span><\/p>\n

3. \u00a0I take responsibility for my own journey. (Luke 14:27) I do difficult things without complaining, even the things that I shouldn\u2019t have to do. This way, I live an unselfish life as Jesus did, following Him all the way to the ultimate sacrifice. (TRUE\/FALSE)<\/span><\/p>\n

4. \u00a0I do not live my life to please people. I please Jesus first and don’t care too much for accolades. (Luke 14:26). (TRUE\/FALSE)<\/span><\/p>\n

5. \u00a0I do not live my life for stuff. Material gain isn\u2019t the motivating factor of my life. (Luke 14:33) (TRUE\/FALSE)<\/span><\/p>\n

6. \u00a0I remain faithful to the teachings of Jesus and won\u2019t listen to anyone who deviates from His words. (John 8:31) (TRUE\/FALSE)<\/span><\/p>\n

So, student of Jesus, how did you do? This is a Pass\/Fail deal. It’s all or nothing.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Father, please make me a True Follower of Your Son, Jesus. Renew my mind so that I can grow to be the person You have designed me to be, one that pleases you and gives you glory. Amen.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Search me, O God, and know my heart;<\/strong><\/em>
\n test me and know my anxious thoughts.<\/strong><\/em>
\nPoint out anything in me that offends you,<\/strong><\/em>
\n and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23,24<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. 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