What it means to follow Jesus

As a result of Christ's great commission i have been able to type up a tract which was shared in church to aid us in our personal work. i believe you would enjoy it and be enlightened on the true meaning of what it means to follow Jesus Christ.

What does it mean to follow Jesus ( if you think you know, well think again...)

The most rewarding life is Christianity. It truly pays to serve Jesus- now and eternally. The challenge of loyalty before God is exacting and exciting. To follow the shepherd “… wherever He goes…” (Revelation 14:14) will take us too many demanding regions and even thee shadow of death. But to those who bring even their thoughts into captivity unto Christ (2 Cor 10:5), it is a journey that always eventuates in triumph (2Cor 2:14). As the songwriter aptly stated: “the toils of the road will seem nothing when we get to her end of the way.

Serving the lord means self-denial (Luke 9:23); a pilgrim journey in a foreign land (1peter 2:11); a devotion that never looks back to yesterday ( Luke 9:62)  and the sacrifice of all that mundane interests held dear (Luke 14:33). In fact, children of God dare not even love family ties and the bond of kinship to the external of hindering full allegiance to the lord (Matt 10:37; Mark 3:35). However  in the view of such unsetting devotion, we have a redeemer  who shall never leave us or forsake us (Heb 13:5-6) and a promise of abundant blessing in this present time, and in the age to come (Luke 18:30)

A close walk with God often brings earthly rebuffs and human reprisals. Paul learned that lesson vividly. Nonetheless, he gladly counted past achievements as worthless in order to gain Christ (Phil 3:4-9). Stephen gave his life for a cause deeper than physical existence (Act 7:60). James and john learned the lesson of walking hand in hand with the master in the tribulation that attends the kingdom (Rev 1:9). Some at he stake or sawn asunder rather than deny the lord that bought them their fidelity, even in the face of death (Rev 2:10), is a tribute to the rich, glorious and eternal joys of devotion

God’s tomorrow shall certainly be brighter that today! As Jesus cogently affirmed, so we earnestly believe ,” Great is your reward in heaven” in spite of having the sentence of death to contend with daily (1 Corinthians 15:30; 2 Corinthians 1:9), Christians of the first century  looked forward to the glory yet to be revealed. (1 Peter 4:13)

In the ten-point outline which follows, we learn of the blessing awaiting those who serve the Saviour. Following Jesus means:

1.      We surrender yet we win the battle.-its not as confusing as it sounds. just read the texts
(Romans 12:1-2; James 4:7-10; 2Peter 1:11)

2.      We are humbled , yet always victorious 
(2 Corinthians 2:14; Luke 14:11; 1 John 5:4)

3.      We die daily, yet live abundantly
(2 Corinthians 5:1 ; John 10:10; Eph 3:20)

4.      We long for heaven, yet live better lives on earth
(Philippians 3:20; Rev 14:13; Jude 21)

5.      We are crucified with Christ, yet we never die
(Gal 2:20; John 11:25-26; Eph 2:6)

6.      Buried with Christ, but walk in new life
 (Col 2:12; Rom 8:1-2; Eph 4:20-24)

7.      Past sins forgiven, yet pressing onward
(Acts 3:19; Heb 8:12; Heb 6:1)

8.      Sojourners on the earth, but mansions waiting in heaven
(1 Peter 2:11; Heb 11:10-13; Heb 9:24)

9.      Content with blessings, never satisfied with attainments
(Phil 4:11; Rom 8:31; Psalm 116:12; Rev 3:21)

10.  Deep in debt, yet free in Christ
(Rom 1:14; 13:8; Psalm 46:1; John 8:36; Gal 5:1)

Surely, all of these attendants joy of Christian service encourage spontaneous response of devotion in our hearts. Indeed, the love of Christ compels us to loyalty and total commitment (2 Corinthians 5:14)

This is likewise important to realize what following Jesus does not mean. Some people have fallen easy to prey to the devil due to a misconception on this subject. When we follow Christ, it does not mean we will have no difficulties. It simply means God will supply by His grace, sufficient strength to meet the problems (2Cor 12:19; 1 Peter 5:7). To be a servant of the Lord does not mean we are perfect. But the Savior does provide us as an avenue of cleansing and encouragement (1 John 1:7-2:2). This gives us incentive to press on to higher ground and a closer walk with God (Psalm 27:4)

To be a disciple of the Master does not mean that Satan forgets us. To the contrary, he diligently seeks to devour us through cunning devices (1 Peter 5:8; 2Cor 2:11). Only by steadfast faith and resolute conviction can we withstand such power from “the deceiver of the whole world” (Eph 6:10-12; Rev 12:9). Serving Jesus does not produce unhappiness either. To the contrary “…Happy are the people whose God is their Lord” (Psalm 144:15). They can sing praises to the Father from a prison cell at midnight (Acts 16:25). Such songs in the night bespeak a devotion and joy unfathomed by the world. Even overt persecution produces rejoicing (James 1:2)

Following Christ does not mean wealth and ease.

Conversely, the sincere follower of the lord fully understands that he does not wait for heaven as the only reward of devotion. This life becomes more meaningful with every passion scene because God gives us perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3) and access to the throne of grace that supplies mercy in every time of need (Hebrews 4:16). The Psalmist gives us a tremendous thought that captures the serene blessing of following Christ: “You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory” (Psalm 73:24)

The songwriter, J.R. Baxter, was thinking along this line when he wrote:

“I hold to the hand that is steadfast and sure, 
No other foundation is ever secure, 
I look for the home that will ever endure; 
I hold to the hand of my lord.

I hold to the hand of my Saviour and King 
‘Till safe in that city where the angels now sing;
He leads me so gently where still waters flow, 
And tell me of heaven , where I long to go.