Dallas Willard on Discipleship

Dallas Willard is one of the most important writers on discipleship and the spiritual life.  I hate to say it, but he is one of the most difficult writers that I have read–I usually have to read each sentence twice to understand that he is saying.  But, I am glad that I took the time what he had written.

Here is an excerpt from an article that he wrote featured on the discipleship.org web site.

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How Does the Disciple Live? by Dallas Willard

As Jesus’ disciple, I am his apprentice in kingdom living. I am learning from him how to lead my life in the Kingdom of the Heavens as he would lead my life if he were I. It is my faith in him that led me to become his disciple. My confidence in him simply means that I believe that he is right about everything: that all that he is and says shows what life is at its best, what it was intended by God to be. “In him was life and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:4 NAS)

Being his apprentice is, therefore, not a matter of special “religious” activities, but an orientation and quality of my entire existence. This is what is meant by Jesus when he says that those who do not forsake all cannot be his disciple. (Luke 14:26 & 33) The emphasis is upon the all. There must be nothing held of greater value than Jesus and his kingdom. He must be clearly seen as the most important thing in human life, and being his apprentice as the greatest opportunity any human being ever has.