timelygospelpro 
The word mark in this context means what you are known for and the best synonyms is SIGN. We can say: The Sign of a True Discipleship.
Discipleship is a process of making someone become like another. Hence, we can say in this context that; Discipleship is a process of making someone become like Christ.
However, this topic will better be understood by saying; The mark or sign of a True Disciple of Christ.
We will dwell much on A CROSS CARRYING PILGRIMAGE as a mark of a true discipleship.
Remember that DISCIPLESHIP is a process of making someone become like Christ and if you want to be like Christ, you have to consider your journey as a Cross Carrying Type.
The life of Jesus is a life we all desire to live but we fail to bear in mind that such life demands that we carry the cross and follow him daily.
Luke 9:23-24
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
Jesus was speaking in that verse saying: if you desire to follow me, if you love to be my true disciple.
3 things are required:
1. Deny yourself
2. Take up your cross
3. Follow me.
Let’s briefly, explain the three, then we will dwell on carrying the cross.
Deny Yourself.
First, there must be something to deny. there must be something to avoid, to take off, to relinquish, to renounce, to painfully stay clear-off, and that thing is called your-SELF.
Self is a nature of sin that set limitation or gab between us and Christ, the book of Galatians 5:19-21 avails them:
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
We have to deny them all, the process of denying may be painful because it will result in sometimes, colossal loss in one way or the other. Beloved, we just have to deny ourselves if we truly want to become like Christ.
Cross carrying process is more painful. Let’s look at it together.
Take up his Cross
The cross-carrying in the pilgrimage are the persecutions, tribulations, betrayal, denials and pains that follows denying yourself.
It is painful and most times result in loss of friends, family, possessions and fame. The loss referred to here is not death but dissociation from self (manifestation of the work of flesh) for Christ’s sake.
Follow Me
At this point, Jesus is now the captain of the ship even as the name implies (Discipleship). Where He leads, you go and what He says, you do.
Cross carrying pilgrimage life, is a life of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance according to Gatlatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Meaning that; in the midst of persecution, tribulation and pains of bearing the cross; Jesus is saying:
You must love
You must count it all joy
You must follow peace with all men
You must endure
You must be gentle
You must be good just like Jesus went about doing good
You must have faith
You must be meek
You must have self-control (temperance)
I pray that the Lord will help us in this journey of discipleship in Jesus Name.
Hymn
1. I can hear my Savior calling,
I can hear my Savior calling,
I can hear my Savior calling,
“Take thy cross and follow, follow Me.”
Refrain:
Where He leads me I will follow,
Where He leads me I will follow,
Where He leads me I will follow,
I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way.
2. I’ll go with Him through the garden,
I’ll go with Him through the garden,
I’ll go with Him through the garden,
I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way. [Refrain]
3. I’ll go with Him through the judgment,
I’ll go with Him through the judgment,
I’ll go with Him through the judgment,
I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way. [Refrain]
4. He will give me grace and glory,
He will give me grace and glory,
He will give me grace and glory,
And go with me, with me all the way. [Refrain]
