They Gave ALL
In 1956, five young American missionaries were speared to death in the Amazon jungles of Ecuador. They each left behind a wife and almost all left behind children. When the Auca’s attacked them, they could have fought back and most likely won. They had in their possession rifles, which could have easily given them the victory. But they chose not to fight back. Why? They had each decided that, if attacked, they would not use their weapons, because they were ready to go to Heaven but their attackers did not know Jesus and were not prepared to die. These young men were true Christians, disciples of the Lord Jesus.
Christians
The word Christian is a beautiful word and it is no wonder that it has become the word of choice to describe those who claim allegiance to Christ. This beautiful word has two primary meanings: first, it literally means, of and belonging to Christ. Secondly, it has been defined as being like Christ. Isn’t it wonderful that we who have followed Jesus are “of” him? We are begotten of the word and born of the Spirit. And all who embrace His grace have a deep desire to truly be like Jesus in our words, our walk, and our work.
As wonderfully appropriate as the word Christian is to describe the followers of Christ, it seems that it is not the preferred word of the Holy Spirit. Indeed the word Christian or Christians only appears three times in the whole of the Word of God. [For more about what it means to be a Christian click HERE: https://keithnix.net/christian-christians-christ-follower/
Disciples
However, the inspired writers of the Bible used the terms disciple or disciples some two hundred and seventy-two times in the New Testament alone. A disciple is one who is a pupil, a learner, an adherent, a follower, an imitator. Jesus calls each of us to learn his ways and then to imitate Him by putting His teaching to work in our everyday living. (See Eph. 5:1)
The young men who chose to lose their lives in an attempt to reach the Auca Indians with the Gospel, believed the words of Jesus, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” [John 15:13] They did not just claim to believe it, they imitated Jesus with their actions. By their death, they became the catalyst for a great revival among that tribe. Some of their family, including Jim Elliott’s wife, Elizabeth, and daughter, returned to live with the very natives that murdered them and as a result of their work, the whole tribe converted to Christ. As Jesus said, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” [Jn. 12:24]
Today, God’s call is the same. We are called to give our all! “So likewise, any of you who does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” [Lk. 14:33] Most of us will not give our lives in death as these five missionaries did, but we are all called to die to self and live for Christ. [See Gal. 2:20]
21st Century Disciples
Will we be His disciples: Not in name only, but in reality? This generation of young men and women is desperate to see the real Jesus. Many don’t yet understand that it is His love they crave. They don’t realize that He is the answer to the cry of their heart. It is our privilege and responsibility to give to this generation what we have so freely received. Let’s be true Christians, real disciples of Jesus and make Jesus famous with our lives. Whatever the cost, let’s give it. Wherever He leads, let’s follow. Jesus will be glorified and many thousands will be forever freed.
Keith Nix is the founding lead pastor of a thriving congregation, The Lift Church in Sevierville, Tennessee. [Visit www.TheLiftChurch.tv] He has traveled internationally since 1993 carrying a unique prophetic message of awakening to this generation. He and his wife, Margie, have one daughter, Isabella.
