Hebrew - Talmid

What word best describes a person being in a saving relationship with God through Jesus?  Many would say “grace,” and it’s such a great word to describe how we don’t earn salvation.  Many, maybe most, would say “faith,” and this is a key word that describes the trust we place in Jesus for salvation.  But I believe I would say the English equivalent of the word disciple, which is “talmid” (pronounced tal-meed).
Why, you might ask, would I choose that word?  It is interesting to see what Jesus says as he departs, with final words to his apostles (their commission), before ascending back to God the Father.  Listen to what is recorded in Matthew 28:18-20, as Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Grace is a part of the process, faith is a key, but neither word is used here.  Jesus told them to do these things: 1) go and make disciples (talmidim in the plural), 2) baptize them in the name of God the Trinity, and 3) teach them to observe what Jesus instructed.  Other than baptizing, which is the crossing over act as we accept the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus for ourselves, the other two things mentioned both involve being a disciple (the initial commitment as a disciple, and teaching them to observe what he commanded, which is discipleship).  Really, being baptized is part of being a disciple also.  
We err when we have someone say a little prayer inviting Jesus into the heart, then lead them to think that is all that’s needed, they are now saved.  First of all, this is not explicitly taught by Jesus or his apostles, it is only assumed from a few verses taken out of context.  Sure, its fine to say such a prayer, great to invite Jesus in, but that is our emotion speaking as we want what Jesus offers.  Good.  Now follow that up by taking what Jesus really taught and following through.  That is becoming a talmid.  

A talmid (disciple) is a student, or maybe more accurately an apprentice.  A mere student learns head knowledge to know what the teacher knows, but an apprentice works with the teacher to see what the teacher does, and then imitates that.  It is more than reading a book (even the Bible), more than attending a class (even Sunday school), more than listening to a sermon.  The talmid in Jesus’ day would leave their job, their families (at least temporarily), and their communities, to follow their rabbi and watch how he lived.  You’ve heard the old saying, “Do as I say, not as I do.”  In the case of a talmid with their rabbi it would be, “Do as I say, watch, follow, and do as I do also.”  The saying and doing match.  
It begs the question: Are you merely a student, learning head knowledge about what Jesus and his apostles teach; or, are you truly a talmid, an apprentice, learning what he taught and watching his actions in scripture, to live as he lived?  Will you forgive as he did?  Do you love your neighbor like yourself (not just theoretically, but in words and deeds)?  Do you make visitors to church feel welcome as you desire them to become a disciple?  Do you read Jesus’ words thinking: how should I put this into practice in my life?  Because, grace is given to those with faith, and real faith belongs to a talmid.
Cross Point: Jesus said: “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”  We defy faith if we fail to follow.  He said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.”  The Apostle Paul said, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”  The Spirit guides us as we learn from scripture, allowing us to follow in the steps of Jesus as talmid.  James would say, “Faith by itself is dead, if not accompanied be action.”