Did you know that the Latin root word for disciple means “learner or pupil”? Very literally, those who choose to follow Christ and want to be named His disciples are those who are willing to learn from Him. A disciple studies the words and life of Christ, trying to understand His divinity and grow in faith and love for Him. But it can’t stop there. An intellect may study the theories and practices, but they may never understand the tiny feelings and motivations that cause the believer to cling to that belief until it sees them through. Faith in Jesus Christ is a principle of action that requires us to move forward with what we have learned about Him. The core of learning for the disciple comes in the doing. Jesus Christ invites us to experiment upon His words, to prove His love for us. If we take that challenge we learn, then we do, then we are blessed.
When the things we know move from knowledge to experiences with God, it changes us through His Spirit. We develop a broken heart and contrite spirit that submits our will to God and declares our discipleship. We become His.
The following has been written about discipleship: “The word disciple comes from the Latin [meaning] a learner. A disciple of Christ is one who is learning to be like Christ—learning to think, to feel, and to act [like] he does. To be a true disciple, to fulfill that learning task, is the most demanding regimen known to man. No other discipline compares … in either requirements or rewards. It involves the total transformation of a person from the state of the natural man to that of [a] saint, one who loves the Lord and serves with all of his heart, might, mind, and strength” (Chauncey C. Riddle, “Becoming a Disciple,” Ensign, Sept. 1974, 81).
The commitment of discipleship requires knowledge and discipline. It requires an ability to practice self-control and maintain behaviors and characteristics consistent with Christ-like qualities. It is a choice. Just as Peter, James, and John “forsook all, and followed him” so must we.
Discipleship is moving from “learn” to “do”. It is showing obedience to the commandments and turning away from things that rob us of the Savior’s light. If we are willing to do this—to actively reach for Christ and carry His name every day of our lives, the blessings we will receive are more valuable than anything we may have given up along the way.
