Introduction
What do you gain by following Jesus Christ?
Following Christ does not necessarily mean that you believe him. The call to follow is not a call to salvation.
Verses that Teach Salvation is Not By Works
Luke 5:27 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.
King James Bible
Luke 5:28 And he left all, rose up, and followed him.
Do they understand everything about Christ, I doubt not, but they followed him anyway.
Followership does not equal salvation.
Salvation is trusting in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ as the only sufficient way for man to be saved from the penalty of sin.
Following Christ is an identification with Christ just like baptism, and obedience.
For example- Wearing a ring does not mean that you are married, because anyone can wear a ring.
Another example is wearing a uniform does not mean that you are a student, but it identifies you as a student.
John 6:64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
Therefore, we should not confuse salvation with following Christ. These are two different things.
Therefore, for those who are saved, God expects you to follow Christ in everything. And there are significant benefits that come with our decision to follow Christ.
4 Great Lessons from Following Christ
1. You will learn
The call to follow Christ is a divine call to learn from the Lord Jesus Christ. And many people that followed him got to realize who he is and then believed in him.
He is a great teacher and master, and he has so much to teach you, and that is why you cannot learn if you do not follow Jesus Christ in his teaching.
Some people are wrapped up in their traditions like the Jewish of Jesus’ days, and that is why they did not learn so that they can believe.
In the Book of Acts, the Bible tells us that some people took knowledge of the believers because they had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
King James Bible
If you follow a man, you will learn his precept, principles, pattern, and path, and likewise, when you follow Christ, you will learn if you are teachable.
These verses came to my mind when talking about learning:
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
King James Bible
Another great verse in the Bible is this:
1Jn 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
King James Bible
Are you saved? And if yes, are you learning?
2. You will Grow
When a person is learning, he will grow. You will not grow more than you know.
And that is why we need the Bible that will help us to grow.
God has established a local church, a place where believers can get together, and learn the word of God for our spiritual growth. Jesus is not here presently on earth, but then he has given us the plan to follow so that we can grow and become mature believers.
The Bible has a formula for our spiritual growth as believers.
Let’s hear from Christ himself:
Luk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
King James Bible
Luk 6:47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
Luk 6:48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
3. You will be Fruitful
Now, this is getting interesting right?
Mat 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
King James Bible
Mat 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Growth brings fruitfulness to us, and at this stage, you are manifesting what you are learning.
It is good and a blessing for a believer to be fruitful. How does the believer bring forth fruit?
Be reproducing yourself in others.
When you do not get comfortable with just coming to church alone.
When are not comfortable with just coming to Sunday morning.
When you are not forced to do things.
Listen, this stage can take a while for some people, and this stage can be instant for some people.
Are you learning?
Are you growing?
Are you fruitful?
4. You will be a Disciple-Maker
This is the final stage and the result of following Jesus Christ, you will have people that look up to you for spiritual guidance and help because they have realized that you have what they do not have.
When you are taught, and then you are teaching others, you will be hungry for more.
2 Tim 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
King James Bible
Conclusion:
When following Christ, you will hear teachings from the Bible, and there is nothing wrong with asking questions about what you didn’t understand.
The disciples asked many questions, and Jesus taught publicly, privately, in the synagogue, and in many other places.
Mark 10:28-30 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
King James Bible
And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,
But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
And it is a joy to know that following Christ will be rewarded by God himself, and therefore, we should not be discouraged when things are difficult while following Christ.
2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
King James Bible
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