My Father is honored by this, that you bear much fruit and show that you are my disciples.

John 15:8 (NET)

Things aren’t always what they seem. If you’ve ever seen a duck decoy floating on a pond, you might not notice it’s actually a fake duck made of plastic. Decoys are the right size, the right colors, the right shape, and in a pond, they’re even in the right place. They look like real ducks. On the water they even bob around like real ducks, but that doesn’t make them real ducks. People could be fooled from a distance, but upon closer inspection, the truth would be revealed. 

If it looks like a duck and floats like a duck, it isn’t necessarily a duck.

Perhaps you’ve heard of a disciple named Judas Iscariot. He is best known as the man who betrayed Jesus. He was one of the twelve disciples who were Jesus’ closest companions. He looked like the other disciples. He dressed like the other disciples. He did life with Jesus, witnessed His miracles, and learned from Him just like the other eleven. He even broke bread at the Last Supper with Jesus and the rest. But Judas was actually nothing like the others on the inside. His heart grew bitterness and greed while the other disciples’ hearts grew love and grace and compassion. Immediately following the Last Supper, Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. It was all part of God’s plan all along, to bring salvation to His people. But Judas willingly, intentionally led soldiers and officials right to Jesus where He was praying, and He was arrested. 

If he looks like a disciple and eats like a disciple, he isn’t necessarily a disciple. 

Are you a disciple or a decoy? Do people see Jesus in you? Do they see bitterness or compassion? Greed or grace? Do they see your love in your words and actions? If you are a true follower of Jesus, people will know. They may be fooled from a distance, but upon closer inspection, the truth will be revealed. They will know by how well you love those who are hard to love. They will know by the words you speak. They will know by your habits, by how you spend your money, and by the people you surround yourself with. They will know by your authenticity, your character, and your integrity. They will know because true disciples of Christ joyfully share their faith and make other disciples. 

If you look like a disciple, live a disciple, love like a disciple, and share Jesus like a disciple, you’re probably a disciple. Be an amazing one! You are loved!