Disciples

The passion--the deepest desire of the heart of every disciple--is to be more like the--like his--Master. It is his prayer that in his spontaneous interactions with all the people in his life, and in his spontaneous response to every situation, and in his spontaneous reactions each day to all things that the only possible explanation will be, "he has been with Jesus." If that is not my prayer, if I am holding on to any vestige of myself, I have not yet embraced discipleship. If my heart's murmur is, I will allow Him to transform me as He desires unless it costs me earthly security. . . unless it costs me the approval of men . . . unless it costs me my "dream" of success. . . unless it costs me. . . than I am still demanding of Him that He share the throne as Lord of my life. As if such a thing is even remotely possible.
And discipleship begins with--not actions, though actions will follow--but with a way of thinking--a commitment to have the mind of Christ. "Let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus." And that is not "mind" as in intellectual prowess, but "mind" as in a deep humility to surrender all rights to oneself in order to be the servant of all: to set aside all reputation and to take on the form of a servant, and to be obedient unto death. The true disciple pours himself out for others, becomes a spontaneous servant, and remains devoted to doing both until death--knowing that it is only then--joyously then--that the transformation into His likeness will be complete. "When I see Him, I will be like Him."
It is through His Spirit's transforming me into His image that I can touch the lives of others and encourage them to embrace genuine discipleship--the journey of lifelong transformation. No other way will do. All my heart, soul, mind, and strength will be wasted unless I love Him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. All. For then, and only then, I will find myself capable though the life of the Spirit within me of loving others as the Triune God loves them. 

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son."

"Greater love has no man than this to lay down His life."

"The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

"O to be like Thee blessed Redeemer, this is my constant longing and prayer; gladly I'll forfeit all of earth's treasures, Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear. O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee! Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art! Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness, stamp Thine own image deep on my heart"

"Go into all the world and make disciples."