In John chapter 8, Jesus spoke:
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
To "abide" is to live from and stay in the very source of life and love which is Jesus Christ. Those who hear and walk in accordance with His Word are His disciples. In order to walk in accordance with His Word, we must keep His Word before us at all times. We can know particular verses of Scripture in our head but those same verses need to be planted or replanted in our hearts in order to produce a harvest of good fruit. A farmer does not plant seed in the field just once expecting a perpetual harvest, and in the same manner, we should not expect a continuous harvest from a singular focus of study years ago. Wisdom brings forth this Truth in Proverbs chapter 4:
20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart;
22 For they are life to those who find them (salvation), And health to all their flesh (healing).
23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
Contained within this passage is the key to an abundant life for the disciple and those to whom he or she ministers. Think about it, the simplicity of the Gospel is found by those who simply hear, dwell, and act on the Word made flesh, Our Lord Jesus Christ. When we focus on being His disciples, we can and should expect miracles to occur in our midst. After all, it was a miracle when each of us was saved. As we become “saturated” with His Word in our hearts, faith comes forth and is fully activated to bring forth miracles. Our faith grows to the point of truly expecting miracles when we pray for ourselves and others. Jesus called this “great” faith.
If I don’t expect a miracle from FATHER when I pray, then what is the point of praying? FATHER is in the miracle-working business thus let us remove unbelief by abiding in HIS Word.
Jesus went on to further describe a disciple when He spoke in John chapter 13:
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
This is a critical aspect and requirement of being a disciple- Love! We must not only Love the brethren, but we must Love the ungodly. Let us put away any and all criticisms and words of condemnation toward the ungodly for Jesus died for them as well as us. We will not condone their acts but let us be a light to them and be prepared to minister life as the Holy Spirit draws them to us. Jesus emphasized this in John chapter 15:
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
9 As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”
A disciple glorifies FATHER by bearing much fruit. Let each of us inspect our fruitfulness for the Kingdom and ask ourselves if we have been lacking in this area. If so, let us repent and commit ourselves to HIS Word and to walk in Agape Love toward others. Let us refrain from speaking words which are not uplifting and encouraging. Let us set aside those areas of study which have no impact on being a blessing toward others. Head knowledge does not make a disciple but producing fruit motivated by Love does.