I’m using the term follower of Christ in today’s blog title instead of ‘Christian.’ I’m doing so because in today’s culture, it seems like everyone just calls themself a Christian but they don’t actually live their life like one. I used to be one of them.
I thought I was a ‘Christian’ just because I prayed every once in a while and went to church now and again. I hardly picked up my bible. I cared more about the things of this world than the things up above (Colossians 3:2) I didn’t have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. I was lost. But, God. Hallelujah!
He saved me. He saved me from being trapped in a life of sin. Note; he didn’t save me from being a sinner–because that is mankind. We are all born sinners; however, it is your salvation through Jesus Christ that saves you. Because of my relationship with Jesus, I want to be a better person. I want to live a godly life. I want to be bold about my faith. I want to exhort my fellow brothers and sisters. I want to give hope to those who are lost.
Let me list a handful of verses and share what the Lord has revealed to me about them in relation to being a follower of Christ:
1. “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” –Luke 9:23
Serving Jesus is not an every other day or an only-on-Sunday type of living. Jesus tells us if we desire to follow him, we must deny ourselves daily. Every day.
2. “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” –Luke 13:24
Another clear message from Jesus. Be on guard with yourself as a follower of Christ to truly seek Him. Many will think they can enter His Heavenly kingdom, but they will not. This is a hard truth for many people to understand: not everyone is going to heaven (1 Corinthians 6:9).
3. “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.”
–Proverbs 21:2
This brings me to my next verse. Every man thinks he is right in his own eyes, but the Lord is the only one who truly knows your heart. Our heart is deceitful and wicked (Jeremiah 17:9-10). We can’t always trust ourselves. We need to be exhorted by other brothers and sisters in Christ to check us in our walk with Jesus. To ensure we are righteously seeking Him.
4. “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
–Psalm 34:1
When you’re living for the Lord, you will want to praise, worship, and be in fellowship talking about God. You can tell when someone is close to Christ because of this.
5. “He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not
of God.” –John 8:47
On the other side of this, read this verse in John. Many people are walking blind to Jesus. They genuinely do not know Him.
6. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” –1 Corinthians 1:18
This is another verse to reiterate the concept of walking blindly vs. with God. Being a follower of Christ may seem foolish to those who are lost. Our actions of choosing to not curse, living soberly, and reading our bible every day doesn’t make sense to you because you may not truly be saved. I used to be that fool. Lord, forgive me!
7. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” –1 John 1:8-9
We must confess our sins as a follower of Christ. Repentance is a part of our walk. We are sinners by nature, but it is the love of Christ and the Holy Spirit that dwells within us to help keep us from walking in a life of sin.
8. “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.” –1 Corinthians 10:23
Have you ever had a feeling before you do something, that it might not be the right thing? Well Paul exhorts us: telling us that all things may be allowed to us, but that doesn’t mean they are helpful, nor will they instruct us in our best interest.
9. “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!”
–Psalm 34:8
This verse says it all. Oh, taste and see! The Lord is good! Praise Him to the highest. My trust is in You, Father. “My soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You.” –Psalm 63:1
As I write this blog, I have my bible opened up in front of me just skimming through the pages, reading verse after verse. The richness of God’s Word is alive (Hebrews 4:12). There is so much more I want to say about being a follower of Christ. I just dipped my toes into it with this post. I encourage you to draw near to Christ this week. His Word tells us, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” –James 4:8
Be blessed, mamas, sisters, and friends!
Leave a Reply