Heresy in the church 5 - Discipleship is optional

Is discipleship optional for a Christian?   There is a belief among professing Christians that a person can be a Christian but not be a disciple.  Discipleship is something for the 'mature' or 'zealous' Christian.  You're a super Christian if you graduate from a discipleship course.  Where did such an idea come form - a person can become a 'disciple' by attending a discipleship course?    This is heresy.

Before the term Christian came into existence, all who believe in Jesus Christ are called 'disciples' meaning followers.  Everyone is a disciple.  If you are not a disciple, you are not a Christian. Later in Antioch (Acts 11:26), they were called Christians - followers of the Christ, but in a derogatory sense.

There is no differentiation between "Christian vs. disciple' or 'super Christian vs normal Christian'. 

The Greek word disciple is mathetes.  It means an adherer who accepts the instruction given to him and makes it his rule of conduct, not just a learner.  This is a good definition of a Christian. 

The danger of this heresy is that a believer can be saved, but still refuse to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.  What is unspoken is that a person can have the benefits of eternal life, but still cling on to his old fleshly lifestyle. This is the best of both worlds, one foot in the kingdom of God, and the other foot in the kingdom of the world (or Satan, if I am blunt).   You won't find such a teaching in the bible.  

Look at some of the teachings of Jesus on this:

•  No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money (Matt 6:24)

• “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:26)

• “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matthew 10:37)

• “So, then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.” (Luke 14:33)

• “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:27)

• “You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22)

It's pretty clear what Jesus expects of all his followers.  

What we have been taught by ministers is a wishy washy kind of Christianity that is not found in the bible. Why? Because this teaching of Jesus is not popular. Come join the church and suffer! This won't win over converts, and dare I say, won't increase the church membership.