Disciple
Disciples are predestined to be conformed. It is built into our spiritual DNA when we are born again!
Romans 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
This work of conformity is ongoing. It will continue as long as we draw a breath on this earth.
2Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Disciples desire to see Jesus, encounter Him, and engage with Him with purpose. The purpose is to become more and more like Him. The value of seeking Him and seeing Him is the yearning to be transformed into the same image, which results in ever-increasing glory. This work requires the help of the Holy Spirit.
Valuing rooted in love is powerful. Without love-based values, we remain stuck in our usual routines and patterns. Rules and regulations cannot change a person. They can inform a person, but they cannot change them. Just having information that you agree with does not change you. It must become a value that is rooted in love in order to move you to be willing to embrace change. Until you are convinced in your soul that change is the way for you to express your love and, therefore, it is of utmost importance to you to do so, you will not even begin the process of transformation.
I have seen men so in love with a certain car that they would work more hours, sell certain things less important to them, and spend hours making sure they found that car and could purchase it. Once they get that car, they spend money and time doing things to it; they maintain and care for it; why? Because they love that car.
Love is the greatest motivator in all of the universe!
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
God placed a value on you out of love, and it moved Him to give His most precious thing, His own Son! This is the reason love is activated in the life of a disciple.
1John 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us.
God is the great initiator because God is love. Because God is love, this world and mankind were created by Him with a purpose. When we are given a revelation from the Holy Spirit about His love for us, we are moved to do something about it. That begins with believing in Jesus for salvation and a new life. That moves us to follow Jesus by learning who He is and what He likes so that we can adjust to Him out of love for Him because He first loved us. This is a disciple!
