Benefits of discipleship

Blessings result from obedient discipleship

Luke 11:28 RSV2CE

But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

See also Pr 8:32; Mt 7:24–25; Jn 13:17; Jn 14:21; Jas 1:25

Joy results from discipleship

John 15:10–11 RSV2CE

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

See also Ps 119:14; Ac 13:52; Ac 16:34 the Philippian jailer; Ro 14:17; Ro 15:13; Ga 5:22 the fruit of the Spirit; Php 1:25; 1 Th 1:6; Heb 10:34; 1 Pe 1:6; 1 Pe 1:8; Jud 24

Peace results from discipleship

John 14:27 RSV2CE

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

See also Nu 6:26; Ps 4:8; Ps 29:11; Ps 37:11; Is 26:3; Mt 11:28–29 Jesus Christ promises rest for the weary; Lk 2:14 the angels’ greeting to the shepherds at the birth of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ’s greeting to his disciples when he first appeared to them after his resurrection:

Lk 24:36; Jn 20:19

Jn 16:33; Jn 20:21; Jn 20:26; Ro 2:10; Ro 5:1; Php 4:7; Col 3:15

True happiness results from discipleship

Happiness flows from doing God’s will

Ps 1:1; Ps 119:1–2

See also Ps 94:12; Ps 112:1; Ps 128:1; Pr 29:18

Disciples are truly happy

Matthew 5:3–12 RSV2CE

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.

See also Re 1:3; Re 22:14

Disciples are abundantly recompensed in this life

Mark 10:29–30 RSV2CE

Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.

See also Pr 15:16; Pr 16:8; Mt 7:7–11; Jn 8:12; Jn 10:27; Jn 12:26; Ro 8:31–39; 1 Ti 6:6

Disciples are blessed by being united with Jesus Christ in the family of God

Matthew 12:46–50 RSV2CE

While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood outside, asking to speak to him. But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brethren?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brethren! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

See also Ga 6:10; Eph 2:19; Eph 3:15

Disciples will be blessed with eternal life

Matthew 19:29 RSV2CE

And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

See also Mt 25:46; Ro 2:7; Ga 6:8; 1 Jn 1:2; 1 Jn 5:11; 1 Jn 5:13; 1 Jn 5:20

Disciples have the hope of being like Jesus Christ and being with him in heaven

1 John 3:2 RSV2CE

Beloved, we are God’s children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

See also Jn 12:26; Jn 14:3; Ro 8:29; 1 Co 15:49; 2 Pe 1:4