Religion Magazine

Being a Fan Or Being a Disciple

By Ldsapologetics
The story goes that a new pastor arrived at the church he was asked to lead early and dressed as a homeless man.  Of the thousands of church goers only 3 said "Hi" and the rest either ignored him or glared at him.  He asked for money for food and was denied by all he asked.  Then he quietly sat in the very back and when the church staff who were in one this announced the new pastor, the new pastor stood up and slowly walked to the front as a hush fell over the congregation. 
Then the pastor grabbed the mic and quoted scripture: "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
Some were so grieved for what they had done they wept, most were shocked.
Again as the story goes anyway but a Mormon bishop did do a similar thing and found similar reactions to him by those who knew him but didn't recognize him through his professionally done make up job.
But this action amongst other scenarios does separate the fans of Christ from the disciples of Christ.  The people who denied the new pastor money for food or who glared in judgment at him yet sit and worship Christ whilst judging their fellow church members, who worship a homeless man on Sunday and disparage the homeless the other 6 days of the week, those who deny help to those in need, those who mock others for various differences or who deny forgiveness and hold a grudge are going against the teachings of Christ yet professing their discipleship.  Christ denies them in Matthew 7.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:16-23)
He that does the will of God will enter into Heaven, this is what Jesus means when He says "He who has ears to hear let him hear." is that he who believes in Jesus and His teachings will actually carry them out, that's what a disciple does.  A worker of iniquity will do as they please and offer up lip service prayers or worship leaders or other men and ignore the teachings of Christ all together caring more about the opinions of men mingled with scripture.  But by their fruits, their works and their teachings you will know them.
A good person does not do heinous things or teach evil or destructive teachings likewise a bad person does not perform good works for good reasons or offer up good teachings.
You cannot do the opposite of what Christ teaches and honestly claim discipleship.  You cannot offer up lip service prayers and claim to be sincere when you offer no sincerity.
Those members of the pastors church who ignored him or glared at him, who denied him money for food yet claim to be Christians are not.  They are fans of Christ not disciples.
True disciples will help the poor, will help the sick and elderly, will serve others out of kindness not out of seeking reward or avoiding punishment.  they will do the right thing because it's the right thing to do.
They will feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick or the prisoner, they will give drink to the thirsty.  They will do the right thing, they will bear the unmistakable good fruits a true Christian does.
The two commandments Jesus says are the greatest out of the 613 of Mosaic law: "36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."  Matthew 22:36-40
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets says Jesus. Love God and Love your sister and brother, even your enemies as you love yourself.  This is the fulfillment of the law, the commandments.
And Jesus gave us one more commandment: "34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:34-35
True Christians, true disciples hold to this commandment.  It is a simple yet elegant solution to the ills of the world.

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