The Call of Christ
Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.†Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.â€
Luke 9:61-62 ESV
Discipleship means to walk with Jesus where he walks, go with him wherever he goes, study the words that he says, obey the instructions he gives, imitating his life as he lived it–even if it means certain death. Discipleship requires that Jesus be given primary allegiance: full and wholehearted devotion with special focus on obedience to his commands and purposes (Matt. 16:24-26). Discipleship is a result and consequence of a genuine and living faith in Jesus’ sinless life, his shed blood, and glorious resurrection.
When we are called to follow Christ, we are summoned to the exclusive attachment to his person. The grace of his call bursts all the bonds of legalism. It is a gracious call, a gracious commandment. It transcends the difference between the law and the gospel. Christ calls, the disciple follows: that is grace and commandment in one.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship (Touchstone, 1955), 59.