Discipleship in the Christian faith involves a commitment to follow Jesus Christ, embodying His teachings and example. The tests of discipleship are the trials and challenges that reveal the authenticity and depth of one's commitment to Christ. These tests are not merely external but also internal, examining the heart and intentions of the believer.

1. The Test of Obedience

Obedience to God's commandments is a fundamental test of discipleship. Jesus emphasized the importance of obedience in John 14:15, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." This test requires believers to align their actions with the teachings of Christ, demonstrating their love and loyalty to Him through their willingness to follow His directives.

2. The Test of Sacrifice

Discipleship often demands personal sacrifice. Jesus called His followers to a life of self-denial and cross-bearing in Luke 9:23, "If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me." This test challenges believers to prioritize their relationship with Christ above personal desires, comforts, and even familial ties, as seen in Matthew 10:37-38.

3. The Test of Perseverance

Endurance through trials is a significant test of discipleship. James 1:12 states, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." This test examines the believer's steadfastness in faith despite hardships, persecution, or suffering, reflecting a deep-rooted trust in God's promises.

4. The Test of Love

Love is a defining characteristic of true discipleship. Jesus declared in John 13:35, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." This test involves demonstrating Christ-like love to others, including enemies, as instructed in Matthew 5:44. It challenges believers to exhibit compassion, forgiveness, and selflessness, mirroring the love of Christ.

5. The Test of Faithfulness

Faithfulness in small and great matters is a test of discipleship. In Luke 16:10, Jesus taught, "Whoever is faithful with very little is also faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." This test evaluates the believer's reliability and integrity in fulfilling God's purposes, whether in mundane tasks or significant responsibilities.

6. The Test of Fruitfulness

Bearing spiritual fruit is a vital test of discipleship. Jesus said in John 15:8, "This is to My Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples." This test assesses the believer's growth in character and influence, evidenced by the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and the impact of their witness in leading others to Christ.

7. The Test of Humility

Humility is essential in the life of a disciple. Jesus exemplified this in Philippians 2:5-8, where He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death. The test of humility requires believers to adopt a servant's heart, esteeming others above themselves and submitting to God's will, as seen in Matthew 20:26-28.

8. The Test of Truth

Adherence to the truth of the Gospel is a critical test of discipleship. In John 8:31-32, Jesus stated, "If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." This test challenges believers to remain grounded in biblical doctrine, resisting false teachings and upholding the truth in their lives and witness.

These tests of discipleship serve as a means of refining and proving the genuineness of one's faith, ensuring that the believer's life aligns with the calling and example of Jesus Christ.Matthew 10:32-39
Whoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
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Luke 14:26,27,33
If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
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John 21:15-19
So when they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, love you me more than these? He said to him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. He said to him, Feed my lambs.
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God in Sore Straits.
... hold. These people are glad of bread and the easing of bodily distress,
but the tests of discipleship they pull away from. He turns ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/god in sore straits.htm

A Look Ahead
... so the sinews would be grown in character that would stand the tests coming, and ...
yet more bitter, the crowds yet denser, the terms of discipleship yet more ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on following the christ/1 a look ahead.htm

Jesus and Thomas.
... This is the kind of discipleship which the Master demands. ... of the nails in them,
he asked him to put the evidences of his resurrection to the very tests he had ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter viii jesus and thomas.htm

Messianic Claims Met by Attempt to Stone Jesus.
... Carnal tests are not suited to spiritual truth]; I judge no man.16 Yea and if I
judge ... If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples [Discipleship is an ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxxx messianic claims met by.htm

The New Sinai
... But they were tests simply because they embodied everlasting truths as to the
characters of His subjects. ... This is Christ's account of discipleship. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the new sinai.htm

The Greatest in the Kingdom, and their Reward
... Discipleship being presupposed, then the disciple who is a prophet will have one
reward ... we shall find, when the fire is kindled which reveals and tests our works ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the greatest in the kingdom.htm

The Sheep and their Shepherd
... marrow and fatness, for I could hear Christ's voice in it." I am not going to follow
out these tests; but certain ... This is an important proof of discipleship. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the sheep and their shepherd.htm

The New Evangelism: and Its Relation to Cardinal Doctrines
... faculty in theology, theology itself breaks down under rigid tests at almost ... regards
our possible understanding "the wiser we shall be in our discipleship. . ...
/.../berkhof/new evangelism and other papers/the new evangelism and its.htm

Three Homilies. On Our Lord.
... For it is not over its friends that humility tests its power, but over its ... Thus were
his ears brought into discipleship to the voice which he heard, because ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/three homilies on our lord.htm

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