How Do I Know If I Am Following Jesus?

January 20, 2022

But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified. Galatians 5:22-24

Some of the most intriguing conversations a person can have will come from asking this question: What gives you the assurance that you truly are following Jesus? How do you know that God is pleased with you and that you are living God’s way? At least half of the responses l receive are habits they have overcome or habits they have developed, like church attendance, Bible reading, and other good things. They will tell you things they actually didn’t need God to handle—a good accountability system could do it.

Paul, who knew he was nothing like Jesus when he began to follow Jesus, knew that his own efforts in self-management had been legalistic rules that would be utterly helpless in making him like Jesus; in turning him into an attractive billboard for Jesus. He realized that truly following Jesus is a surrender of our own control and efforts, letting the Holy Spirit plant and grow fruit in our lives. He will cultivate and direct us, bringing gifts into our lives naturally as we cooperate with Him. We can count on these things growing:

Love – affection for others

  • Joy – exuberance about life
  • Peace – serenity
  • Patience – a willingness to stick with things
  • Kindness – a sense of compassion
  • Goodness – conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people
  • Faithfulness – loyalty in commitments
  • Gentleness – not needing to force our way in life
  • Self-control – able to marshal and direct our energies wisely
  • Absence of legalism and desire to control others

How attractive is a life lived like that? It draws people to it like children to a puppy. People who don’t know Jesus may not feel ready to believe everything that beautiful person believes, but they surely do want to know them, and they believe the world needs more people like that. And eventually, God breaks through.

  • My Spirit-filled everyday life is the most effective “bait” in fishing for people. So…?