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How do I Go
About Following Jesus?
What it Means to Follow Jesus
As Pascal said, there is a God-shaped vacuum
in the human heart. All cultures have tried to fill that hole with a god (s). Only the Jesus
follower gets the where-with-all for complete filling. When a new believer "believes", there
is an instantaneous indwelling of that person by the Holy Spirit of God. That Spirit is the
ultimate teacher about the meaning of Scripture, the will of God, and the relational messages
from God. Jesus died that the power of sin be broken for all. Through Jesus, the convert
learns of the love of God. And. as the convert confesses sin and repents of sin, he/she comes
into closer & closer personal relationship with God. As the follower lifts up Jesus and
"does" in the name of Jesus and to the glory of God, the love of Jesus flows from that person
to others, testifying of the truth of Jesus' existence. And the follower becomes more and
more at peace and more and more fulfilled. People yearn...often privately...for
fulfillment!!! Money, power, fame, material & worldly things only give temporary
pleasure...they DO NOT fulfill.
If you have honestly and truly said "yes" to
following Jesus, it means that you have been "born again"...had a new birth...into a new life
which is holy (in that it has been declared by Jesus to be holy...set
apart), having become a child of the perfect and only God of the universe.
How Do I Go About Following
Him?
Being a follower of Jesus can be as simple as, with the
faith of a child, just fully accepting Him as your living (remember, there were more
than 500 witnesses that He arose from the dead) savior and Lord (boss) of your life. Many of
us want more detail and study; but, at the bottom line, one must just decide to
believe...doing so with the uncomplicated faith of a young child. Then it will all be
shown to you. As you realize how complex things may be, don't be in the least discouraged.
Plug away at it regularly; God is honored by your interest and effort. And, there is enough
to this "set apart" life to keep you interested and stimulated for more than a lifetime
!!
Now...though a decision
MUST be made to both accept Jesus AND to commit to "the Way, the
Truth, and the Life", true change DOESN'T come by a decision to TRY HARDER. The
first time you went up the ladder on the high diving board and walked to the end, you looked down
at the water from that height in fear. A decision had to be made...just as the decision for, and
commitment to, Jesus has to be made. But branches on a fruit tree don't produce more and better
fruit by "trying harder". The productive branches are the ones well-attached, well-positioned, and
staying so on the fruit tree. As Paul notes in Romans 12:1-2, the REAL
TRANSFORMATION comes by the renewing of the mind. This is a conscious, willful decision
to study the Word of God and to apply it's truths to your life!
May God bless you richly in your "yes" decision...you'll NEVER regret it. To-do
list:
- Salvation: [essay] [the guarantee] [the highest truth] Search your heart and
mind and be sure that you have come to the point of "saving belief"...being "born again"...the
"new birth"...a "new creation" in Christ. Have you truly said "yes" yet? If not, then you have
failed to build on the solid foundation that transforms you from trying to live a supernatural
life armed only with natural resources. You must have a supernatural "heart transplant"!! Check
out and believe the really good news...the Gospel [here]. Be sure that you understand how
secure you are in the
truth of your new position in Jesus.
- Cleansing: By being "born
again", God declares you...on the coat-tails of Jesus...righteous and clean; but, with
the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, make the decision to confess your sins, repent of these
sinful prohibitions, and set about to clean up your act. Jesus
will shepherd you and defend you against temptation as you call out to Him.
- Relationship: Though some
will reach out to you, most won't realize that you are a new believer. The most powerful thing
a believer can do is pray...pray for relationships:
God: regularly relate to our one
true Trinitarian God through prayer, the reading of The Word of God (the Bible)
[getting Word Power], and being in church
worship activities so you can learn to "hear" His leading.
Believer friends: become
personal, individual friends with other believers...step out boldly and introduce yourself to
believers you feel an urge to meet. But be aware that God has made us with intended differences
[here].
Believer groups: get into
Sunday School meeting groups, church study groups, and Christian outside-interest (hobby or fun
activities...it would blow you away how many interest groups there are) and business
groups.
- Discipleship: Learn as
much as you can about Jesus and The Way, The Truth, and The Life...the Faith of Christianity.
[a few
resources] [some web site essays
and hot topics]
- Servanthood: Through
the spiritual gift(s) you have received from the Holy Spirit
as a believer, reach out to others, both believer and non-believer.
- Evangelism: The
believer's most important job...the Great
Commission...is to tell others. Don't necessarily remove yourself
from non-believers; but, be very careful not to be tempted away by them...you may need to "get
strong" before you "fish where the fish are." Being careful to be sensitive...but being bold to
seize opportunities...let others know that you have a new life and that it is because of Jesus.
It is not your job to convert anyone...just "tell" your story as sincerely, compassionately,
and convincingly as you can. It may happen in one encounter or over many encounters for many
years...depending on who you are talking to. Pray for them to "hear"!
***give me your comments about this
page***
check out the Highest
TRUTH
(posted 11
April 1999; 1st update 20 Aug. 1999; 7 April 2002; 9 November 2013)
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