In its simplest form, being a disciple is the daily task of embracing and acting upon the Christ-centered word of God (Col 3:16). Without the Scriptures, we could not follow Christ because we would not know him or his gospel. Men, do not overcomplicate discipleship. Stay fixated on Jesus and his gospel by cherishing his Word in a community of faith called the church.
In the life of Jesus, we see unstained love and faultless meekness, both are expressions of his boundless strength and sovereign power. Never was any man so full of compassion and so bold for truth. His love, kindness, and grace were not the result of moral weakness or passivity. His very life was a repudiation of sin and a demonstration of holy moral perfection. In all of his characteristics the light of truth shone as it never had before. Some see Jesus’s love, mercy, kindness, and forgiveness as weakness. Too often, we often allow the world to define a man’s virtue for us rather than the true standard—the man Christ Jesus.
Every Christian is to follow the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and long to see the character of Jesus reflected in their life. The Bible refers to following Christ in this way as discipleship. Thus, the vital question for every man who longs to be a disciple of Christ and to disciple his family, is how? After all, the ethics of the Kingdom of Christ are not intuitive to sinful man. Below are three biblical non-negotiables for any man who desires to be a faithful disciple of Jesus and lead his family to do the same.
1. Fixate on Jesus
“Follow me” is one of the favorite phrases of Jesus (Matt 4:19, 8:22, 9:9, 10:38, 16:24, 19:21, 19:28, Mark 1:17, 2:14, 8:34, 10:21, Luke 5:27, 9:23, 9:59, 18:22, John 1:43, 8:12, 10:27, 12:26, 21:19, 21:22). Nothing is more basic to being a disciple than fixating your life on Jesus and his gospel and plodding ahead in his direction.