Know The Truth – Are You A Follower Of Jesus?
This question is easily answered when one goes to the Word of God. Jesus said, “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:23-26; See Luke 14:25-30. A disciple is a follower of Jesus Christ. We learn that every disciple is to carry his own cross. When we look at the history of the cross, we learn that during the New Testament times the cross was used to kill people. Therefore, a true disciple will take up the cross daily and die to self.
Can you be a true disciple of Jesus if your family relationships are more important to you than your relationship with the Christ? Jesus is not pleased with those who offer excuses for not following Him. See Luke 14: 16-24; 9:57-62. That which comes first in our lives reflects our priorities. Some folks are willing to follow Jesus if they can do it their way. True disciples change their attitude toward the value of possessions. Jesus said, “Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Luke 14:31-35; See Matthew 6:24. Can you love (serve) God and the world at the same time? God is to be first in our lives, not our families nor our jobs. Jesus becomes the center of the life for a true disciple. Christians are like salt because they do influence others and preserve the truth. A true disciple of Christ is controlled by Christ.
Paul wrote, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” Romans 6:16-18. Cf. James 4:1-5. Can you or any person avoid slavery? No! A friend of the world is an enemy of God. A true disciple will become a slave (servant) of the Lord Jesus Christ. The point is: anyone who is not a slave (servant) of Jesus is a slave (servant) of Satan.
Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15. Jesus said that the person who continues to believe that He is the Son of God, repents of their sins, confesses Him as the Son of God before men, and is baptized, “shall be saved.” Mark 16:16; Luke 13:3; Matthew 10:32, 33; Mark 16:16.