Are You Following Jesus
There are many people who profess to be Christians, but they are living their lives as though Christ didn’t really exist. They make a profession of faith, but their lives speak differently. They are living their lives for themselves, being self governed and self focused and life revolves around them and what they want. Are they really following Jesus? What does it mean to follow Jesus. What does that look like?
When Jesus walked the face of this earth he lived a life of total surrender to the Father. He didn’t do what he wanted to do, he only did what the Father directed him to do. John 4:32,34; John 5:19-20. His will was not his own, it was the father’s. John 5:30. He was governed by the Father through the Holy Spirit. Acts 10:38. He was totally submitted to the will of the Father.
If Jesus didn’t do his own will, but submitted himself to the Father to do his will, as disciples of Christ Jesus, we are to be submitted to him, and do only what is his will for us! That should be part of our end goal in life, to do the will of Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:15; Philippians 2:13. Once we become followers of Christ Jesus, we should not be living for ourselves any longer. Our focus in life should not be ourselves, but to live for Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:21,27a; Colossians 1:9-10; Colossians 2:6. Following Jesus, means that we will set our affections on heavenly things, instead of earthly things. Colossians 3:1-3. To be a follower of Christ Jesus, we will choose not to love the world, or the things of the world. 1 John 2:15-17. As followers of Christ Jesus, we should be learning how to live a life of service towards others. Philippians 2:3-8; Matthew 20:28; Luke 10:27-37. That means that we live life sacrificially.
Living life as a follower or disciple of Christ Jesus is more than just making a profession of faith. It’s living a surrendered life. Being wholly submitted to Christ Jesus to do as he pleases. It’s living a crucified life. No longer living for self, but for him who died for us. It’s a life governed by the Holy Spirit. He becomes our guide to how we live, and who we live for. Search your heart to see if you are living for yourself, or living for Christ Jesus. He will use you greatly if you choose to live for him instead of yourself.
I hope that this message has spoken to you, because it spoke to me as I was writing it! If Jesus is truly Lord, then he has a right to determine how we live our lives, and that’s the key to a truly successful life in him.
