Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?” Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. John 6:60-61, 66 NLT
If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. Mark 8:35 NLT
One of the worst things we ever do is communicate to people that following Jesus is casual and easy and costs nothing. That is not true. Salvation is free, but truly following Jesus is costly. It is inconvenient, challenging, and will cost everything. Read the words of Jesus and the letters in the New Testament. Those truths are repeated over and over. It is incredible, satisfying, rewarding, and life-giving. But “easy” never applies.
What does following Jesus look like? Here’s a start:
- Loving others the way Jesus has loved you, even those who seem unlovable
- Forgiving those who don’t deserve it and don’t even ask for it
- Serving your enemies
- Showing non-judgmental compassion on those in need
- Caring for the needy and unprotected
- Holding your resources loosely, giving with generosity
- Working hard with integrity and honesty even when you don’t get it back
- Listening for God’s voice and then obeying Him
- Spending time with God
- Resisting temptation, making war against sin
- Sacrificially loving your kids, spouse, friends, and the neighbors and random people who cross your path
And more. So much more.
Notice that every one of those statements begin with active verbs? Following is ACTION, not simply belief. Read the four gospels. Do what Jesus did. That’s what it means to follow. Read the words in red. Live by His values. Everyone noticed Jesus was different. He lived against the grain. He did what was good and wise, like His Father. If you follow Jesus, people will notice you are different. It won’t be easy. But it will be overwhelmingly fulfilling and transforming. Absolutely life-giving. The way to live.
- Following You, Jesus, can never be casual. I get that now. Help me follow You so clearly and closely that I clear the path to You for others.