There are numerous devotees of various religions, cults, sects, and traditions. A few follow gurus or spiritual guides. However, the Risen Lord, who has all authority over heaven and earth, commissioned His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations. (Matthew 28:18-20) The disciples of the Lord are different and could be easily distinguished from devotees.
Intellectual and Spiritual: The devotees are mostly driven by emotions. One of the conditions to be a devotee is to surrender the capacity to think. Devotees are not allowed to think for themselves; they just follow their gurus or religion. They are neither allowed to think nor to ask questions. However, disciples know the truth intelligently as the Spirit of God helps them to understand and spiritually, because the Bible is His revelation.
Rational faith: Devotees have an irrational, blind faith. Christian faith is based on the truth that has been revealed. Faithful witnesses have recorded the revelation of God in the Bible. And there is historical and archaeological evidence that affirms a disciple’s faith.
Relational faith: Disciples know God; hence, they have Eternal Life. (John 17:3) Christian life means having a living, dynamic, and intimate relationship with God. The Lord Jesus Christ, as the Good Shepherd, knows the sheep, and each disciple, as an obedient sheep, follows Him. (John 10:27) The religious leaders, or godmen or gurus, do not know even the name of their followers, except for a few rich and powerful sponsors and donors.
Receive: Disciples are recipients of God’s love, grace, peace, and forgiveness. They receive them as gifts from God with gratitude. Devotees try to appeal, appease, and ask for blessings. Prophet Elijah mocked the false prophets, saying: “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” (I Kings 18:27)
Assurance of forgiveness: Disciples have assurance of forgiveness as the Blood of Jesus Christ cleanses them from all sins, and God is faithful and just to forgive. (I John 1:7-9)
Am I a disciple or a devotee?