Lately, I have been studying and meditating on identity. Come to find out, our identity or how we see ourselves hits at the core of Salvation. Growing up, most of the Churches I’ve attended spent too much time focusing on Sin or Heaven and Hell, which was never meant to be the central theme of the Gospel.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ, at its core, is about a relationship that has been restored to its original design. In fact, I would say it has been restored far better than it was for Adam and Eve. The more I learn about the Gospel of Grace, the more I understand who I am and what I was created for. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to look at the culture and realize Mankind has lost their true identity. Mankind was made in the image and likeness of God, meaning we possess certain qualities and characteristics that are not found in the creation of this world, including the angelic host.
So what does this have to do with Disciple vs Christian? Aren’t these two terms the same? Not necessarily; both are Christian terms but carry different meanings.
For years, I was taught that we, as believers, should be Disciples, which is fine, but again, as I learn more about our identity in Jesus, it doesn’t really fit who we are. Now hold on, give me a chance to explain! Discipleship, in its simplest definition, is being a student, nothing more. Jesus is our Teacher, and we are his students. Throughout the Gospels, being a disciple is mentioned many times, but here is something I find interesting. After the book of Acts, the word disciple is never mentioned in almost all translations of the Bible, hmmmm.
In Acts 11:26b, you will find a short verse that says “And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch”. Most of us pass over this verse and think nothing of it, but why would Luke (the writer of Acts) inject this seemingly harmless verse? Up until that time, several writings referred to believers as followers of the way, Saints, and, of course, disciples. The term Christians refers to followers of Christ or to being Christ-like.
So what is the point? My point is that being Christ-like provides a more accurate description of our identity. Perhaps the early Church struggled to determine how best to describe a person after conversion. But here is something to consider: 1 John 4:17 has this phenomenal phrase, “as He is, so are we in this world,” meaning that as Jesus is, so are we. Think about that… Whatever Jesus is, that is what we are. This speaks of identity.
Let’s take righteousness, for example. If Jesus is righteous, then we are righteous! Our righteousness is based on Jesus, not on what we do. We are not becoming righteous; we were made righteous. The only way we could become unrighteous is if something were to happen to Jesus, and we know that will never happen.
Consider this:
- If Jesus is holy, then so are we
- If Jesus is without Sin, then so are we
- If Jesus is beloved by God, then so are we
- If Jesus walks in divine healing, then so do we
- If Jesus has all his needs met, then so do we
Consider these scriptures
- 2 Corinthians 3:18 – We are being transformed into His image
- Romans 8:29 – We are being conformed to His Likeness
- Philippians 2:5 – We have the same mindset as Christ
- 1 John 3:2 – Seeing Him as He is, we shall be like Him
I’ve heard it said this way: when God looks at you, He sees Jesus. When Jesus looks at you, he sees Himself. When we start believing in Jesus, the Holy Spirit goes to work in us, making us more like Jesus, notice I didn’t say it starts with you! Philippians 1:6 states that God, who started a good work in us, will faithfully complete it until the return of Jesus Christ.
Being a student, aka disciple, is important, but truth be told, we are much more than that. It is God’s intention for us to be transformed into the image of His Son by the work of the Holy Spirit. So, using the term ‘Christian’ better fits our identity.
Here is a good prayer I use to remind myself during my times of fellowship with the Father.
Father
I thank you that I’m not just your son, but I’m your beloved son. You have made me righteous, you have made me Holy and I stand before you without a single fault. Work in me that which is pleasing and good in your sight. Continue to change my desires and grant me the ability to do what pleases you.
More could be added, but this helps keep my focus. It also helps me understand just how God sees me. I’ve heard it said that Jesus is what God thinks about you! Even when we have a bad day or don’t always do what’s right. God will never change His mind about how he sees you.
Jesus is what God thinks about you!
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