Are you living as a believer or a disciple? Many profess faith but miss the fullness of a life that reflects Jesus. The parable of the soils reveals how neglecting to apply Scripture leaves us vulnerable to deception, torn between the world’s ways and God’s truth. Discover how moving beyond mere belief to true discipleship can transform your life.
At a recent small group gathering, a question was raised: What’s the difference between a believer and a disciple? Is there a difference? Let’s explore this question by first defining the terms, then examining their biblical distinctions, and finally, considering how these definitions should influence our lives today.
WHAT IS A BELIEVER?
The term believer comes from the Greek word pisteúō, meaning to “have faith in.” Strong’s Concordance further defines it as being persuaded, both by human reasoning and, more significantly, by God’s persuasion.
This belief involves a trust that God is who He says He is. It’s the foundation of Christian faith, but it is not the entirety of the Christian walk. Belief in God does not guarantee transformation or action.
For example, even demons are believers---they recognize God’s existence and shudder in fear, but they do not follow Him. As James writes in James 2:19, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that---and shudder.” Their belief does not lead to discipleship, nor does it change their actions or hearts. They shudder because their fate is sealed for the future judgment, yet it still doesn’t change their thinking and actions. They continue in their destructive actions and rejection of the true God.
This highlights a key point: belief alone is not enough to change us or our world.
WHAT IS A DISCIPLE?
A disciple, derived from the Greek mathétés, refers to a learner, a pupil, or a follower. In the New Testament, a disciple is someone who not only believes in Jesus but also follows Him---learning His teachings, imitating His life, and aligning their actions with His example. Discipleship is about much more than intellectual agreement; it involves an ongoing transformation process.
Jesus clarified this when He said in Luke 14:26-27, “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 disciples. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Here, Jesus shows that being a disciple required a radical commitment, a willingness to prioritize Him above all else, to carry the cross of self-denial, and to follow Him even when the path is difficult.
BELIEVERS AND DISCIPLES IN SCRIPTURE
In the early church, believers and disciples were often the same people. When Saul was breathing threats against “the LORD’s disciples” (Acts 9:1), He was targeting those who both believed in Christ and were actively following Him. In Acts 6:1-2, the apostles gathered “all the disciples” to address a practical issue in the church, reinforcing that discipleship involved both belief and active participation in the church’s life.
Yet, as we look through the Scriptures, we see that some who began as disciples eventually turned back. John 6:66 notes that “many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” This underscores that being a disciple is not just about starting the journey, but it’s about continuing on, despite the challenges. Discipleship requires perseverance.
THE PARABLE OF THE SOILS, A PICTURE OF BELIEF VS. DISCIPLESHIP
One of the clearest biblical pictures of the difference between belief and discipleship is found in the Parable of the Soils (Matthew 13:1-23). In this parable, Jesus describes four types of soil, each representing different responses to the message of the gospel:
-The First Soil: The seed is eaten by birds because the soil was not attended to, symbolizing those who hear the word but reject it immediately.
-The Second Soil: The seed springs up but withers because it has no root, representing those who receive the Word with joy but fall away when troubles or persecution arise.
-The Third Soil: This seed is choked by thorns representing life’s worries, wealth’s deceitfulness, and other distractions that hinder spiritual growth.
-The Fourth Soil: The seed produces fruit, some 30,60, or 100-fold. This is the disciple---someone whose heart is prepared and who continues to grow and produce despite challenges.
The parable shows that discipleship isn’t passive. It requires tending, cultivating, and perseverance. Even the good soil is worked on regularly, rocks are removed, weeds are pulled, and the seed is nourished. Similarly, disciples must invest in their spiritual growth, actively pursuing transformation in Christ through His Word, the seed planted in our hearts, which brings transformation.
THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP
Following Jesus involves sacrifice. Jesus Himself pointed out the high cost of discipleship in Luke 14:33, saying, “Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple.” This is not about earning salvation but about the willingness to surrender everything for the sake of following Him.
Paul and other New Testament writers emphasize that belief must be accompanied by action. For example, in Romans 5:3-4, Paul writes, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” Discipleship involves growth through hardship. It’s about actively allowing Jesus to show our character.
James 1:2-4 encourages believers to “count it all joy” when facing trials because the testing of faith produces perseverance, which leads to maturity. This is a vital part of discipleship---embracing life’s challenges as opportunities to grow deeper in faith.
The daily practice of learning and applying Scripture grounds us in understanding what is right and wrong. This knowledge equips us to distinguish between cultural values and God’s values, keeping us on course as we face the trials and suffering that lead to spiritual maturity.
We can be easily deceived by teachings that closely resemble truth but subtly deviate from it. Such deception infiltrates our lives when we lack understanding of God’s expectations and truths. We must remember that the cost of discipleship inevitably involves suffering. As Peter reminds us, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).
DISCIPLESHIP: MORE THAN JUST BELIEF
Being a disciple means more than merely believing in Jesus; it’s about becoming like Him. As we grow in our faith, we begin to reflect His character and live according to His teachings. This transformation is an ongoing process, one that requires time, effort, and the help of the Holy Spirit.
Peter highlights this in 2 Peter 1:5-11, where he encourages believers to add to their faith virtues like goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love. These qualities are not automatic; they must be cultivated (like a garden) through intentional effort and reliance on God’s Word and His grace.
THE CALL TO BE A DISCIPLE
While belief in Jesus is essential for salvation, true discipleship is a call to action. It’s about more than intellectual assent. It’s about living out our faith in obedience, sacrifice, and perseverance. As disciples, we are not just followers; we are learners, imitators, and workers in God’s kingdom.
If we are to live as true disciples, we must be committed to growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). We must be willing to lay down our lives, take up our cross, and follow Him no matter the cost. As we do, we will experience the abundant life that Jesus promised---a life that is fruitful, purposeful, and filled with His peace.
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