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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
In the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), Jesus' command to "follow me" appears repeatedly (e.g., Matthew 8:22; 9:9, Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27; John 1:43). In many cases, Jesus was calling the twe...
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Robert Bills
Supporter
Paul the Apostle said in 1 Cor 11:1 “be followers of me as I follow Christ”, that word followers is translated from the Greek word [mimetes] which from the root of this word is where we get our English word mimic. This Greek word means to be imitators, to imitate someone is to follow their patterns and examples or to appear like them. We see in the New Testament that we are to be like Christ. Romans 8:29 says; “for whom He (God) did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image or [eikon] (the likeness and resemblance) of His Son (Jesus) that He (Jesus) might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Ephesians 5:1 says “be ye therefore followers of God as dear children,” using the same Greek word again having to do with imitating and mimicking. Discipleship is a big key, it is very important to become a student of the teachings of Jesus, also of great importance is a daily active relationship with Him through the Holy Spirit. We must be guided through the truths of His teachings, and be endued with power to live a holy life and bring witness of Christ to the world with demonstration of power through the Holy Spirit. The other thing majorly needed we find discussed in Matthew chapter 7, where Jesus says in verse 14 “straight is the gate and narrow is the path that leads to life”. Many have claimed and may even have sincere beliefs that they have walked through the one straight gate, Jesus. Jesus is the one straight gate, there is no other gate that leads to the Father other than Jesus. Jesus said no man comes to the Father but by Me (John 14:6). What is not talked about enough, if much at all, is the rest of what Jesus says there; the narrow path that few find. The narrow path is the evidence that you have TRULY become a follower of Jesus. The narrow path has different names such as sanctification for example, which is your development in divine grace and holiness as a result of your commitment to Jesus. Jesus goes on to say in this passage a tree is known by its fruit. Many would say you can’t judge a book by its cover, but Jesus taught the opposite, you can judge a book by its cover. Someone who claims to be a follower of Jesus and does not look or act like a follower of Jesus is either lying or insane. A Christ follower will bear the fruit of Christ more and more as they are on their journey with Him, or they will be the ones that in the day of judgement Jesus will look at them and say, “I never knew you, depart from me.” This is a very sobering thought, but one that must be understood, because how horrible would it be to stand before him thinking your ok based on your asking Him into your heart 20 years ago, but you are told to depart from Him because there was never a fruit bearing relationship? A true follower of Jesus is the good tree, bearing the good fruit from a daily active relationship with Him and at the day of judgement hearing the words “I knew you, well done, come and enter into my rest”.
Jay Saunders
Supporter
To truly follow Christ you must become a student or disciple of God's word. The word was made flesh and dwelled among men. (John Chapter 1) God's word warns us that God's people are destroyed by a lack of knowledge. Hoses 4:6 My first pastor use to always say after a sermon, "don't believe or say amen to my message until you search out the scriptures for yourself. Then you will never be deceived by a wolf in sheep's clothing." This is a demonstration of love. Love for our savior should give us a unquenchable thirst for knowledge of him. This includes the Father the Son and Holy Spirit because all three are one, or as I like to add, in total agreement. He who became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ. Now that is the best news for all of humanity. Who else has accomplished so much? Was it not the heavenly Father's plan that saved us? Was it not an essential part of our heavenly Father's plan of free will for his creation, even now being performed and completed by the Holy Spirit? Are they not all worthy of praise, adoration, worship and thanksgiving? Are they not all worthy of obedience? How can we fully obey unless we search the scriptures to understand fully what pleases our Heavenly Father? When you truly love someone, you learn and discern over time what pleases that someone that you love. I locked myself in a room for hours, days and months reading and exploring God's word. Because I chose the way of eternal life over eternal death. I wasn't going to allow wolves in sheep's clothing and false prophets to deceive me. I put on the whole armour of God. Without the whole armour of God you can not stand fully equipt in this world full of deception, lies and half truths. When you know the whole truth of the word of God, you truly understand the meaning of 'render unto God what belongs to God and render unto Ceaser what belongs to Ceaser:' All secular governments are Ceaser. Our Government is no different. Keep your eyes fixed on heaven, because mankind's greed will ultimately lead to war, starvation, hunger, pestilence, disease, and eventually God's judgement. Vote for the lesser of two evils and remember abortion is the worst evil practiced and condoned by most Americans and political leaders today. Pets have more protection than the unborn.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
To truly follow Christ means different things: You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him. Deuteronomy 13:4 | ESV It means being in awe of Him, listening to Him, shunning idols, and serving Him. It means, according to Matthew 8:19, following the Master.
James Kraft
Supporter
To follow Christ means we do not follow men. We listen to what He says, not to what men say. When Jesus said John 10-28-29, We believe what He said. That no one can pluck us from His hand. When Jesus said, “For God so loved the world, that HE gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life,” God can not lie. We believe what He said, not the false teachers. Those that tell us we can lose everlasting life are false teachers and are calling God a liar. John 6:47. We compare scripture with what they say. First John 2:2 says, Jesus died for the sins of the whole world. First Timothy 2:4 says. God is not willing that any should perish, but all should come to the knowledge of the truth and receive the free gift of eternal life. The bible says eternal life is a free gift from God to anyone who believes on His name. John 1:12. John 3:18. Once we believe it we can no longer be condemned to hell. God’s word. And He can not lie. All men are liars. We can trust what Jesus said. John 6:47. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me HATH [Present tense] everlasting life.” Anyone who says they have no sin are calling God a liar. First John 1:8 and First John 1:10. The bible says we are all sinners. Romans 3:23 and Romans 3:9-10. The bible says when we trust Jesus as our savior, He imputes His perfect righteousness to our account. And will no more impute sin to our account. Romans 4:6-8. We follow God, not men. If men say any of the above is not true, they are calling God a liar. It is His word. And HE can not lie. The bible says that Satan's ministers come as an angel of light. We need to be on guard with God's word, or we can be decieved the same as they are. We are to compare what they say with what Jesus said. It is the Spirit of God in the believer that can discern what Jesus said to what they say. Ephesians 1:13-14. That keeps us from listening to the deceivers.
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