Benefits of discipleship

Blessings result from obedient discipleship

Luke 11:28 CSB

He said, “Rather, blessed 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 CSB

If you keep my commands you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. “I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.

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 CSB

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.

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 CSB

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they 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 CSB

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus said, “there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the gospel, who will not receive a hundred times more, now at this time—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and eternal life in the age to come.

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 CSB

While he was still speaking with the crowds, his mother and brothers were standing outside wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” He replied to the one who was speaking to him, “Who is my mother and who are my brothers?” Stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 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 CSB

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields because of my name will receive a hundred times more and will 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 CSB

Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when he appears, we will be like him because we will see him as he is.

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