When it comes to measuring your progress at building disciples, it is quite easy. You count them! However, when it comes to measuring your progress at being a disciple, it is not so easy to measure your progress.
Since being a disciple is primarily about living in right relationships, it seems that one of the best ways to measure progress is through a person’s character. As a person develops the character of Christ, it will be evident in his or her relationships. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control are all demonstrated in how you relate to God and others.
You are making progress in being a disciple of Christ if you are becoming more patient in your relationship with others. If you are treating people kinder and gentler, then you are being the disciple Christ wants you to become. If you have more peace and love in your life, you are becoming more like Christ. If joy and faithfulness describe who you are, then you are being a disciple of Christ. The fruit of the Spirit are the indicators that you are being the disciple Christ wants you to be and that His character is being formed in you.
This is the very reason why Jesus told us to make disciples of all nations. When people all over the globe are being more like Jesus, the world will be a better place. This is the answer to the world’s problems! The only way to make the world a better place is to fill it up with disciples that have the character of Jesus!
When you let Christ live His life through you, all of your relationships will change. This was true for the original disciples and it will be true of you. Being rightly related to Jesus transforms you. In Acts 4:13 the Jewish leaders “saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and the took note that these men had been with Jesus.”
The more time you spend with Jesus, the more you will be transformed into the person he wants you to be! The evidence of this transformation will be seen in your relationships in life. People will be astonished and take note that you have been with Jesus.
Are your relationships demonstrating the character of Christ?
