When we look back at the history of Christianity, we find quite a few who became hermits, or Monks, or who in some way withdrew themselves from society as a whole in order to have perfect discipleship as it was defined by men of their day.  When we see the wickedness around us, the obstacles to godly living that confront us in modern-day society, we are sometimes prone to want to become a hermit to try to escape the temptations of the flesh in which we are fettered and chained.  Even though the life of a hermit removes one from much of the wickedness and troubles of the world, such a life is not a life of discipleship.  Jesus did not withdraw himself from the world.  He was out of the world when he laid aside his glory and came into the world.  As has been previously stated, his primary mission was to save his people from their sins and this was accomplished completely, but his secondary mission was to set an example for his people in order that they might have a more abundant life while they are pilgrims on the earth.  He gave his earthly ministry to the setting of an example by which his people should govern their own conduct, by showing them a way of life superior to any that had been taught by philosophers, prophets or examples set by godly men.  Although he only spent a little more than three years in his ministry, he changed the course of human history more than the combined efforts of all the kings of Africa and Europe combined since history has been recorded.  His entire effort in this undertaking was directed toward giving his beloved a pattern for living in peace with as many as possible, an example to follow in every situation that would befall men here in time; and a formula that would see them through every trial, with the ultimate deliverance being into eternal bliss in glory through his grace alone, but the promise of it was to be given to those who obeyed him.  Let us examine some of the aspects of his example and ministry.

     The first lesson that we need to learn is that he was very poor as a man.  When he was born, the offering was what was required for the very poorest in this world's goods.  He was born to a family that lived in Nazareth, a section of the country that had a reputation of being "no goods." He was of a "low-class" family and those who prided themselves on their pedigree had no use for him.  Those today who aspire to be disciples need not be afraid of what the world considers "lowly birth." No one today has had a more lowly birth than Jesus, the Son of God.

     The second lesson that we need to learn is that Jesus was not ashamed of his lowly birth.  When he was twelve years old, he went into the temple and mingled with the doctors and lawyers -- the very elite of the Jewish society.  You see, he knew, just as all of God's people who have felt the Spirit moving in their hearts should know, that he was of the Kingly line.  We are told that "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."(Romans 8:14.) If we today are moved inwardly by the Spirit, we are children of the King and have a right to sit at the King's table.  In fact, we are joint heirs with Jesus Christ and the eternal inheritance belongs to us just as much as it does to him.   No born-again person is too low of birth to be a disciple, a true Christian.

     Another lesson that we need to learn is that a true disciple does not withdraw himself from the secular life or community secular and social affairs.  I realize that due to the pressing church affairs for many ministers, they cannot participate in every social event, but when it is convenient, they need to take part.  Jesus proved this at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. (See John 2:11.) He and his disciples attended this affair and took part.

     Without a doubt, the presence of dedicated Christians at social gatherings acts as a moderating influence upon those who are given to unbecoming conduct at such functions. one of the most important lesson for a disciple to learn is that of witnessing to lost sheep.  Jesus was ever looking for crippled, diseased, blind, etc., in order to help them.  He did not do it for fame or glory; in fact, he often told them not to tell what he had done for them.  The whole point is that he was continually serving the needs of others.  When we can learn this aspect of discipleship, then we have found the secret of an abundant life.  We do not have the power that he had, but we do have the balm of Gilead to soothe troubled souls and every lost sheep has a troubled soul.  There is plenty of balm in Gilead and there is a physician there that can cure every sinsick soul.  In the area of seeking lost sheep, we must keep in mind that everyone who knows he is sick is alive.  Dead sheep are not sick; but when they hear the voice of the Son of God, they are made alive and need to know what has happened to them.  They need to be told that they are now alive and that there is a remedy for their sick feeling to be found in commitment to discipleship.  We are told in secular history that the church at Ephesus had such love and concern for lost sheep that they committed themselves to being disciples and spreading the good news of salvation that others might be disciples to such an extent that more than 120 other churches were established through their efforts to find lost sheep and make them into disciples.  Many modern theologians believe that this love for lost sheep was the first love they left. (See Revelation 2:4.) It appears that today most who wear the name Christian are not much concerned about the lost sheep.  Maybe God sometimes removes the candlestick, as he threatened to do at Ephesus.  If we would all truly be disciples, we can prevent this.

     We, also, need to look at our own personal conduct as it pertains to keeping God's commandments.  A true disciple will keep them to the best of his ability.  The best way to do that is to follow the instructions given in Romans, chapters 12 through 15, with very strong emphasis on presenting our bodies as living sacrifices on the altar of service.  If we truly do this, we will keep all of the instructions which follows this admonition to the church at Rome.  If we have hope of living in heaven, we might as well get used to following this instruction, because that is exactly the attitudes that will prevail up there.  The only difference will be that we will not have to put up with any wickedness or cantankerousness of which most of us are guilty to some extent while we live in this world.

     Jesus taught us to forgive, not just those who do good to us, but to forgive our enemies, and taught us to pray that our trespasses might be forgiven as we forgive those who trespass against us.  To be able to pray as Jesus did, almost with his dying breath: "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."(Luke 24:34) is the crowning work of discipleship.  Enmity against any man can destroy the one who holds it.  No matter how badly we have been wronged, it is nothing to compare with what our Lord and Master suffered for us.  He prayed for those who were crucifying him and left us the ability to do the same when he quickened us into divine life.  Every true disciple is in possession of the very attributes that Jesus used in this world, but we have a problem that he did not have.  We, also, have the character of our father, Adam.  Discipleship can help us overcome these qualities and exhibit the qualities of our heavenly parent.  "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:35.)

     There are two aspects of justification which only those who are disciples indeed can fully experience: Justification by faith and justification by works.  Justification literally means to not be condemned before a court of justice, to be found to be free from guilt and consequently from punishment.  There are three distinct courts of judgment displayed in the scriptures.  To understand the blessings of discipleship, we must understand how this system, which was designed by God, works.

     First, we must look at the court of God's divine justice which requires that everyone who appears before it shall be sentenced to either eternal bliss or eternal condemnation.  There are no degrees of punishment, neither any of reward in this court.  God alone is the judge and every facet of each case is open before him.  Those who appear there must be either as innocent as God's only Son, or else they are as guilty as any of the host of Satan's angels.  Due to the fact that all of humanity is guilty of the whole (see Romans 3:10-18; James 2:10), it takes complete justification, complete removal of the transgressions against God's holy laws for one to be declared innocent.  This was accomplished by the washing of regeneration, whereby everyone who is a son of God has been sanctified by the blood of Jesus. (See I Corinthians 6:9-11; Titus 3:5.) This work is done by the Holy Spirit alone and men are completely passive in it.  This is the first act upon one who is dead in trespasses and in sins (see Ephesians 2:1), but it leaves him completely justified by the blood of Christ.  His sins will be remembered against him no more forever.  This is the beginning of the actual work of making one into what God predestinated him to be. Every born-again person is justified in this court, and it is effective whether one has knowledge of it or not.  It does not make one a disciple, but gives him the standing before God which allows him to be a disciple.  Also, it puts within him the character necessary for discipleship.

     In order to be a disciple, one must be justified by faith.   This is in another court -- the court of one's own conscience and is under the jurisdiction of the law of the Spirit of life.  This justification has nothing to be with one's standing before God, but pertains to his state.  We are told that Abel, using his faith to offer a more excellent sacrifice, obtained witness that he was righteous.  In the gospel era, those who exercise their faith to step out on the promises of God obtain witness that they are righteous -- they are justified before the law of the Spirit of life; see themselves as being set free from the law of sin and death, and are delivered from the condemnation of the law of the Spirit of life.  When they believe the gospel, see that it applies to them, then obey it, they have the answer of a good conscience before God and have the feeling within that they are sons of God and can enter into his courts with thanksgivings and praise.  This is truly the first fruits of the life of a disciple, but until one is justified by works he never reaps the full benefits.

     Justification by works is in the court of those around us.  If we are truly disciples of Jesus, all of our friends and neighbors will know that we are bearers of the image of Christ in our bodies and will have to conclude that we are righteous; that we are just before God.  Also, our actions will deliver us into a state of condemnation in our own minds and the opinions of our acquaintances if we do not walk as we should, or else we will have the peace that passeth understanding when we, as Abel did, will have the witness that we are righteous and therefore just, when we do the things we have been commanded to do.

     If all who have been justified by the blood of Christ would see fit to become disciples, also being justified by faith and works, the world would be as near to the state in Eden as is possible during the gospel day.  Although it appears that such a condition is not likely to be in this day; yet that does not lessen our responsibility as disciples to endeavor to bring as many to discipleship as possible because all who are truly committed to discipleship have a responsibility to go into all the world and make disciples of all who will come.  We need to remember, as has been previously stated, that our joy as disciples is multiplied when we are able to share our blessings with others.  We need to say with the unknown poet of old:

          How lovely the place where the Savior appears

          To those who believe in His word!

          His presence disperses my sorrows and fears,

          And bids me rejoice in the Lord.

          One day in His courts than a thousand beside,

          Is better and lovelier far,

          My soul hates the place where the wicked reside,

          And all their delights I abhor.

          Lord give me a place with the humblest of saints,

          For low at Thy feet I would lie;

          I know that Thou hearest my feeble complaints

          Thou hearest the young raven's cry.

          Give strength to the souls that now wait upon Thee,

          0 come in Thy chariot of love,

          From earth's vain enchantments, oh, help us to flee,

          And set our affections above.