What Is a True Disciple of Jesus Christ?

The Misunderstanding of Discipleship

What does it truly mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? At first glance, many people believe they already know the answer. The word “disciple” is commonly used in Christian circles, and most churchgoers assume it simply refers to anyone who believes in Jesus. Yet when we slow down and examine the teachings of Christ and the pattern of the New Testament, we begin to realize that the meaning of discipleship is far deeper, far more serious, and far more demanding than what most people have been taught.

For many years, I have said that if you were to walk into the majority of churches today and ask the congregation whether they consider themselves disciples of Jesus Christ, the answer would almost always be a confident “yes.” People tend to assume that believing in Christ, speaking His name occasionally, or attending church services from time to time qualifies them as disciples. In their understanding, discipleship is largely about profession—about saying the right things, identifying with Christianity, and maintaining some level of religious activity throughout the year.

But if we measure that definition against the words of Christ Himself, we quickly see that it does not hold up. In fact, it is possible for someone to talk about Christ, participate in religious activity, and still not truly follow Him. This is why the subject of discipleship deserves careful and honest examination. The modern church has become comfortable with a watered-down definition of discipleship that asks very little of people. But Jesus did not describe discipleship in that way.

One writer once observed that there is a fatal defect within the church—a lack of true discipleship. He wrote that discipleship means forsaking everything in order to follow Christ. When people hear those words, they sometimes misunderstand them. They imagine that following Christ requires abandoning their responsibilities, leaving their families behind, or living as though nothing in ordinary life matters anymore. But that is not what Scripture teaches.

The idea of forsaking everything does not mean that we neglect the responsibilities God has entrusted to us. We still have families, work, and obligations that require our attention and care. Scripture never encourages believers to become careless or irresponsible. Instead, the call to forsake everything means that Christ must come first. It means that while we carry out our daily responsibilities, Christ is not merely an afterthought in our lives. He is the center around which everything else revolves.

This is where the real examination begins. Each person must ask themselves a very simple but very searching question: what truly comes first in my life? Is it Christ, or is it the world and the many things that compete for my attention? No one else can answer that question for you. It is something that must be answered honestly before God.

Even for those who sincerely desire to follow Christ, this is not a question that can be answered once and then forgotten. It is something we must continually examine within our own hearts. The world constantly pulls at our attention and tries to shift our priorities. Without vigilance, it becomes very easy for Christ to slip into a secondary position in our lives. But if we are truly following Him, we must remember that Christ does not accept second place. He calls for the first place in our hearts and in our lives.

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