“Come Follow ME”
Such are the words of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ.
Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
Luke 18:22 – KJV
The idea is to actually follow Jesus just as sheep follow a shepherd. The life of a follower of Jesus is not to say a prayer to become a member of an elite group. It is not to do the religious duty of sit, stand, kneel as a weekly Sunday morning exercise. The life of a follower of Christ Jesus is to become an imitator of Him. For this was His example in working for the Kingdom of God; to do what He saw the Father doing and to say what He heard the Father saying.
Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
John 5:19-20 – KJV
For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
John 12:49-50 – KJV
None of this can be done satisfactorily without faith.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 – KJV
So, what is faith? Simply, faith is believing God and believing He is the creator of all things seen and unseen.
- We must believe that God is who He says He is.
- We must believe that we are who He says we are.
- We must believe that He will do what He says He will do.
Consider this view of faith in light of these truths:
- He is our creator; we are His – He made us.
- He is our redeemer; we are His – He redeemed us.
- And when we surrender ourselves to Him, we are His.
Everyone lives under the first two truths whether they believe it or not. This is just the way it is. God created us, and Jesus of Nazareth shed His blood to redeem us from the sinful state we live in. Jesus of Nazareth is the Son, God manifesting in the flesh. The only question for us is have we accepted these truths so we can surrender ourselves to Him and be delivered from the chains that bind us in this world. True freedom exists only in the Kingdom of God, in following Christ Jesus.
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Galatians 5:1 – KJV
For we who believe, we who exercise faith, Christ Jesus gives a freedom from the things of this world that limit our lives and the quality of life. Christ Jesus died to set us free.
For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:10-11 – KJV
Jesus Christ died, shedding His blood as a sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus Christ arose from the dead, taking up His life in victory over sin and death. He did this to set us free and to lead the way for us. He set us free from the law of sin and death.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1-2 – KJV
We are now free to live under the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. We no longer need to sin and destroy ourselves or our lives, living under condemnation. We can choose a better way. This choice is where we surrender ourselves to God in faith.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 – KJV
Faith: being sure of what we hope for and being certain of what we do not see.
Trusting in God and believing Him at His Word. Believing that God is who He says He is; a loving Father, a provider, a protector, and so much more. Believing that we are who God says we are; His children who He loves dearly, members of the family of God, those who can rule and reign with Christ Jesus. Believing that He will do what He says He will do; rewarding the faithful, judging the wicked, loving those He has redeemed.
Is prayer important? Yes, but it is only one part of the picture. It is a step, not the end result. Is worship time important? Yes, it is part of the relationship, not a duty to be fulfilled on Sunday morning. To follow Christ Jesus is so much more than religious activities. The life of a follower of Christ is the development of a relationship with the Living God, the Creator of all things seen and unseen.
The first steps are by faith. The ongoing experiences increase that faith. Faith grows, the experiences increase, and the relationship intensifies. It is a journey we will never forget. After all, this journey with God is for eternity.
So, as Paul said to the believers at Corinth, I call out to you.
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1
This is not a call to follow me as one would follow a cult leader. This is a call to learn how to follow Christ in a proper manner by watching one who imitates Christ Jesus. Are followers of Christ perfect? By no means. But they are growing in life, being perfected by God. Whether it be me or another believer you know, the basics are caught by watching what men and women of God, followers of Christ Jesus, do and learning what they believe as their faith increases and their relationship with God grows deeper and more intense. Learning to pray and worship are at the heart of the matter. From there, Holy Spirit will bring revelation which will open up a relationship with the Father and the Son that was never dreamed possible.
A whole new world awaits; life as it was meant to be is on the horizon. We must choose to take the journey by surrendering ourselves to God. We must choose to be willing to follow Jesus.
You are invited to join us as we worship God and explore this new relationship in His family.
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Hebrews 10:25 – KJV
We get together for different purposes, but always to love one another and build relationships with one another. This is what marks the true followers of Christ Jesus.
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
John 13:34-35 – KJV