Is every 'Christian' a disciple of Jesus?

In spite of the regular claims that we in the U.K. live in an increasingly secular society, we just can't seem to get away from the 'God thing'!   Mind you, some recent figures suggest that the real 'problem' is the vociferousness of a minority that gives them a prominence and a level of publicity that is well above what they, numerically, deserve!  For example, the number of people returning to the Anglican Church, alone, on "Back to church" Sunday (Sept.27th) last year, could have filled the O2 Arena in London twice over - and still left a queue of some 7,000 people (the highest-quoted membership of the National Secular Society!) outside, without a seat!

It was on this morning's 'Sunday' programme on BBC Radio 4, and in the context of a Christian Socialist Movement church service that, reportedly, always precedes the annual Labour Party Conference, that the statement was made that: "Labour's new leader, Ed Milliband, is not a religious believer himself; but the last three leaders of the Party - John Smith, Tony Blair, and Gordon Brown, were all committed Christians."

It begs the question - "What did the reporter understand by the term 'Christian'?"  Sadly, John Smith died before he had the opportunity to become the 'figure in the limelight' that his two successors were, so it is perhaps difficult for anyone outwith his circle of personal friends to make any comment on his personal faith in the Lord Jesus - the depth, or the lack, of it.  However, when it comes to Messrs Blair and Brown, there is adequate evidence to suggest that neither of them was, or is, a true disciple of Jesus.  Yet that is what a Christian ought to be!  And that discipleship ought to be visible to others.

The true believer - as opposed to the person who makes a vocal claim - is supposed to be recognisable by his/her actions!    I often used to explain to my pupils that, provided my vocal cords were operating satisfactorily, I could say anything I wanted, and make the most outrageous claims!  But my mere calling myself a multi-millionaire doesn't add one single penny to my bank balance!  And anyone who spent some time with me would quickly come to the conclusion that I am not such a multi-millionaire.  The clothes I wear; the house in which I live; tha car I drive; the food I eat; the holidays I take; all point to the fact that my personal income is considerably less than the return from investments that a multi-millionaire would enjoy.

Jesus put it quite simply! "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles?  So, every sound tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears evil fruit. A sound tree cannot bear evil fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus you will know them by their fruits.
Not every one who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.'" (Matt 7:15-23; RSV)


The test, then, is not what I claim, but the way(s) in which I act.  I would suggest that those who deliberately deceive a whole nation; those who extravagently spend other people's money to the extent that those people are left almost bankrupt; those who speak socialism, while owning multiple properties, and having millions in their bank account; those who are unable to control their own emotions, and throw items around the office to the accompaniment of words that are certainly not found within the pages of the Bible; are not living as disciples of Jesus, regardless of any soundbite they might provide.


Perhaps there is enough of 'the divine spark' in the mindset of the British electorate, that it was the blatant hypocrisy of such national leadership that led to the defeat of the Labour Party at the General Election earlier this year.  If that is the case, then it is a salutary lesson to all politicians, regardless of party allegiance, to put honesty and integrity at the top of their personal agendas!


But, of course, that doesn't apply only to politicians, and others in the public eye.  It applies to everyone who takes the name of Christian.  Let our actions speak much more loudly than our words; let others see Jesus in us before they hear us speak about Him; let us be, not just those who call themselves Christian, but true disciples of Jesus, serving others in His Name - and bringing glory to Him.