What Is The Test Of Discipleship?

The test of discipleship is the test of unselfish love to God and people.

The loveliness of Christ's character will be seen in His followers. 

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19. 

 All that humankind can do without Christ is polluted with selfishness and sin. 

Therefore, the love of influence and the desire for the esteem of others may produce a well-ordered life, avoiding the appearance of evil and performing generous actions.

Nevertheless, it is the grace of Christ alone through faith, that can make us holy. Moreover, it is the work of the Spirit of God upon the human heart. 

The Holy Spirit begets a new life in the soul and creates a new being in the image of God.

We will render the service of love and obedience and it will not be a mere outward compliance. 

Thus the new covenant promise is fulfilled - I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them. Hebrews 10:16.

And if the law of God is written in the heart, it will shape the life.

Obedience - the service and allegiance of love

This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. 1 John 5:3.

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1 John 2:4.

If we abide in Christ and the love of God dwells in us, our feelings, thoughts and actions will be in harmony with the will of God as expressed in the precepts of His holy law. 

Little children, let no man deceive you; he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. 1 John 3:7. 

We have no righteousness of our own with which to meet the claims of the law of God. Nonetheless, Christ's character stands in place of our character, and we are accepted before God just as if we had not sinned.

Furthermore, Christ changes the heart and He abides in our heart by faith. We are to maintain this by continual surrender of our will to Him.

As long as you do this - He will work in you to will and to do according to his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13.

Thus It is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. Matthew 10:20.

Character is the true test of discipleship

True Christianity consists in bearing much fruit to the glory of God.

Do you have the meekness, humility and sweet benevolence of Christ? Is the soul-temple emptied of pride, arrogance, selfishness, and fault-findings?

Do you bear the fruits of the Spirit? - love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Galatians 5:22, 23.

Are you acquainted with the grace of Christ? Does He abide in your heart by living faith?

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:5. 

We can do all things with His divine grace in our human efforts.  Thus by beholding and imitating His life we'll be renewed in His image - character.

Conclusion

Obedience and building of Christ's like character is the test of discipleship. It is the keeping of the commandments that proves the sincerity of our professions of love.

Hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 1 John 2:3. 

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16.

References:  

1. Steps To Christ - Ellen G. White
2. King James Bible Version