Follow

I think we sometimes take for granted what accepting Jesus as Savior is all about. We say we love Him, but we don’t show it. We think of love as an emotion, but we forget it is an action. Relationships always suffer when we do that. Our relationship with God is no different.

Do you act on your love for the Lord?

Have you ever told a child what to do, and they later chose to do what they wanted instead of what you asked them to do? When Robbie was young, he was particularly that way. He was not at all compliant. He always thought that he had an option between what he wanted to do and what I had asked him. Somehow in his mind the choices were equal. I think I had a propensity to think that way when I was young.

Don’t we tend to be that way with God? When life comes at us, we tend to think about what we want to do, but we forget at times to think about what God tells us clearly in His word is best for us.

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. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-20

It says, “And straightway they left their nets.” They did not hesitate. I admire that. They did not stop to think about what they wanted to do instead.

And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
Matthew 8:21-22

This disciple asked to wait until the time was better. Now, I sometimes tend to be that way. Do you? Jesus made it clear that He comes first.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Matthew 16:24-25

A similar wording is found in Chapter 10.

And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Matthew 10:38-39

It’s a challenge to follow Jesus. Often it is hard. Where is your heart today? Do you chase after the things of God? Do you seek to follow Jesus? Or, are you still looking at what you want instead?

LIFE APPLICATION

Today’s challenge is to understand that the commitment is to follow Jesus. Following Jesus means to strive to be like Jesus and put Jesus first. Everything else is secondary – family, friends, job, school, and self. Self is the hardest to conquer. Ask God to show you where you have not let Him come first in your life. Ask God to help you see clearly the choices that you need to make for Him.