by Elder Johnny Kim

There are times when in the course of my job, I have to travel to various regions in the Middle East. Most of the time, they are fairly routine business trips, but there have been times when I’ve found myself in areas known to be hostile toward U.S. citizens. Prior to traveling to such places, I have to attend mandatory briefings in which one of the reminders I’m always given is to avoid wearing any clothing or accessories which may give away that I’m a U.S. citizen. It’s always a sobering thought to consider that there are people in certain regions of the world whose hatred of the U.S. runs so deep that it would drive them to kidnap and or kill anyone who might be from the U.S. Though these people might not know me or have any idea what kind of person I really am, the fact that I am merely associated with the U.S. is reason enough to fuel their hatred.

Jesus’ disciples were given a similar warning about associating with Him and being His disciples. In John 15:18-20, Jesus warns His disciples that they should expect to be persecuted on account of following Him. Jesus makes it clear that the disciples would not escape the persecution that Jesus faced because in being His disciples, they were advertising to the world around them that they stood for everything Jesus stood for. As followers of Jesus, they were engaged intimately in His work. In the eyes of Jesus’ enemies, the disciples were just as guilty as Jesus Himself.

In thinking about the implications of this idea for Christians today, one thing that might stand in the way of a clear understanding is our definition of being a disciple. Jesus’ disciples were a real threat to His enemies simply because they rightly viewed His disciples to be so intimately associated with Jesus. Jesus’ disciples subscribed to Jesus’ teachings, beliefs, and commands in an intimate way. Their thoughts, actions, and words were closely aligned with Jesus’ thoughts, actions, and words. For them, the disciple-Master relationship was such that they sought to mirror their Master in every way and to submit their lives to Him in complete submission and obedience.

Unfortunately, some Christians today who would consider themselves disciples of Christ are anything but when measured against the standard of Christ’s disciples during His day. Christ’s disciples were a threat to the religious establishment, not because they called themselves disciples of Christ, but because they acted like disciples of Christ. We might call ourselves disciples of Christ today, but for some of us, our true thoughts, actions, and words would betray that title. Even if we go to church every Sunday, read the bible, and agree with the things that we learn, if we are not conforming our lives to Christ’s and surrendering ourselves as slaves to Him and His every command, then we fall short of being His true disciples. And if we are not willing to proclaim every truth that Jesus proclaimed and not willing to live as He lived, then we fall short of being His true disciples.

We don’t need to look any further than our circle of influence of unbelieving family, friends, co-workers, classmates, and acquaintances to measure our effectiveness as true disciples and followers of Christ. If Christ promised that the world would hate us and persecute us just as they did Him, then we can either believe that to be true or dismiss it as an empty threat. But the truth is the lack of hatred and persecution on account of Christ in our lives may very well be an indication that we aren’t the disciples that we thought we were. After all, what threat would the world feel from a Christian who walks like the world, talks like the world, seeks the same things as world, and affirms the pursuits of the world?

Are our lives filled only with people that love us and like us? Is there no one in our lives that would not even say anything negative about us? Do we live lives that are conflict-free and in peace and harmony with the world around us? If so, then we might be further from being true disciples of Christ than we think. If we believe the words of Christ, Son of God, to be true, then we have to believe that the promised outcome for His followers will be true as well.