True Discipleship: Abiding in the Gospel and Christ in You
Orientation
Many believe discipleship is a relentless struggle to imitate Christ in human strength, leading to frustration and despair.
- This view treats discipleship as external rule-following and self-effort.
- It exposes the utter inability of the flesh to meet God's standard.
- It results in losing assurance and the ground of our inheritance.
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)
— Matthew 5:48
Clarification
True discipleship is not about external imitation but internal union with Christ, a mystery revealed after His resurrection.
- The synoptic gospels show the impossibility of flesh-based following to drive us to grace.
- Post-resurrection, discipleship is defined by the mystery of 'Christ in you' through the Spirit.
- We are not merely followers but members of His body, joined to Him by faith.
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Colossians 1:27)
— Colossians 1:27
Structure
Discipleship is abiding in the Gospel, which aligns our heart with Christ and allows Him to dwell within us, producing fruit.
- Abiding in the Gospel creates a thankful atmosphere where Christ makes His home in us.
- This internal union, like a branch in the vine, bears fruit naturally—not by effort.
- The primary fruit is love for fellow believers, recognizing them as accepted by God through faith.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. (John 15:4)
— John 15:4
Weight-Bearing Prose
True discipleship is founded on the Pauline revelation of union with Christ. The Gospel—Christ died for our sins and rose—is the power of God that justifies us and becomes the atmosphere for Christ to dwell in us by His Spirit. This transforms discipleship from the external, impossible demands of the synoptic period (which were designed to expose fleshly failure) into the internal reality of ‘Christ in you.’ We are not called to imitate Christ from a distance but to participate in His life as members of His body. This is the New Testament mystery: we are ‘bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh’ by faith. Any discipleship framework built on law-keeping, self-effort, or external imitation contradicts the Gospel of grace and returns to the bondage and despair from which Christ freed us. The fruit of this abiding—love for the brethren—is not a sentimental feeling but the recognition of those God has justified by faith in His Son.
Integration
Your discipleship rests entirely on Christ’s finished work and His life in you. There is no pressure to advance or perform. Christ is your righteousness, your sanctification, and your reward. He has made His home in your heart through the Gospel. Abiding is not a technique to master but a Person to trust. Let this truth anchor you: the good work God began in you, He will complete. Your assurance is not in your ability to follow, but in His promise to dwell within. Rest here. Christ in you is the hope of glory.