Disciple Or Believer??

In today's sermon I was challenged - challenged to reevaluate my thinking. The point was made that we as Christians don't always do a good job of making disciples. It seems that through the years we have put more emphasis on being a believer rather than being a believer/disciple.   Even though the two words are similar they are also different - one requires a head knowledge or belief - the other requires a following or learning of - after the head belief.  So I went to the dictionary and found synonyms for both words and this is what I found.             

Believer - acceptor - adherent - convert - devotee - supporter

Disciple - follower - pupil - adherent - learner - apprentice

The words seem similar but I can understand the difference. Believer seems to be more of a mind thing. While disciple, seems to bring with it more of doing than just believing.  More of an active following not just believing, but learning as a pupil, adhering as a change of something in my life. As Christ's apprentice I must model His behavior, thoughts, ways, heart, words etc... 

 The directions of a disciple are:         

                                                          1)   Abide in the Word - John 8:31-32

                                                          2)   Love one another - John 13: 34-35

                                                          3)   Bear fruit - John 15:8

                                                          4)   Pay the price - Matt 16:24 & Luke 14:28

Hebrews 5:11 - 6:1  says - "We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn.  In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again.  You need milk, not solid food!  Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.  But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.  Therefore let us leave the elementary teaching about Christ and go on to maturity, ..."

It's time for us as believer/disciples to leave the milk  and go on to maturity.  To abide in the Word - to love one another - to bear fruit - to pay the price.  Our time is now - God calls us to maturity.  

I pray God will challenge you to move toward maturity.