Jesus defines what it means to be a true disciple. It is good to be a disciple, but to be a true disciple takes a lot of commitment. In Matthew 16:24-27, Jesus gave one of His most famous and challenging exhortations to His disciples.
He explained what it would look like in a person’s life if they truly followed Him. Through His words, we can clearly understand what it means to be a true disciple of Christ.
These are some of the qualities of a true disciple of Christ:
1). True Disciples Don’t Live for Themselves
The first quality that Jesus mentions is that a true disciple “denies himself” (v. 24). If someone wants to follow Jesus, they must be willing to surrender personal hopes, dreams, and desires. You cannot follow Christ if you come to Him with your own agenda.
2). Indulges in Sacrificial Living
Secondly, Jesus tells us that true disciples “take up their cross” (v. 24). Jesus knew He had come to eventually take up His cross to save sinners. If someone wants to follow Him, they must deny themselves and live a life of sacrifice to be a true disciple of His.
3). Sincerely Follows Christ
As faithful disciples answer Jesus’ call to lay their own lives down, they must also step forward and pledge their allegiance to Christ (v. 24). Once true disciples make the decision to surrender themselves and live sacrificially, their hearts are then ready to obediently follow Christ.
4). Commits to God’s Ways
Anyone who wants to be a true disciple of Jesus must realize that His ways and plans for our lives are contrary to how people would naturally live without His intervention.
For instance, Jesus says that if you want to save your life, you will lose it, but if you are willing to surrender your life for His sake, He will preserve you and give you true life (v. 25).
5). Invests in Heavenly Things
In verse 26, Jesus challenges would-be disciples to consider His claim that there is nothing in the world that compares to the value of the salvation of a human soul. True disciples understand the difference in value between material possessions and eternal life, and they invest what they have in heavenly things.
