Title: DISCIPLESHIP SERIES –   OBSERVING CHRIST’S COMMAND

Date: 13th March, 2014

Beloved, Today., in our series of CHARACTERISTICS OF A DISCIPLE, we are looking at OBSERVING CHRIST’S COMMAND – living a life of complete obedience to him.

When Jesus gave the the great commission, the instruction was to “go and make Disciples of all nations…teaching them to OBSERVE ALL things whatsoever I commanded you” Matt. 28:19,20. In John13:34,35, Jesus said “A new command I give you: love one another…By this all men will know that you are my disciples…” In Luke6:46, he says “why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not what I say?. And in John 14:15, he says “if you love me, keep my command”.

Beloved, from these scriptures, it is obvious that one of the marks or evidence of being a disciple is observing whatsoever he commands us to; living in obedience to his instructions. It is not enough to call him Lord, Lord, or claim that we are his followers if we are not ready to do whatsoever he commands. We would be deceiving ourselves, that is hypocrisy. Of course we see a lot of that around. There are  a whole lot of people who live like this. They profess with their mouth that Jesus is their Lord, but their lifestyle and their actions do not conform with their profession. God is against people living that way. In Revelation 3:15,16, Jesus says “… thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou were cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth”

Look at that last statement. imagine the implication!, the consequence of  living a double life. It is serious. That shows us the degree at which God hates that kind of life. May you and I not be guilty of this. We are called to live what we say, not the reverse. If truly we are his disciples, then observing his command is a MUST.

Thank you and remain blessed in Jesus’ name.

Revd A. U. Akpan is the president of Faith Activation Global Ministries, Lagos, Nigeria.