I laughed loudly yesterday when I saw a bumper sticker that said, “Don’t follow me. Sometimes I do stupid stuff.” I laughed, but then I thought again. So accurate for myself. I mean, don’t we all sometimes do stupid things? If you don’t, that is amazing (and maybe a lie)! 🙂
We have a fabulous preaching and teaching team at our church. They are wonderful! I am so glad I get to hear them speak God’s Word! But, though I honor and respect my pastors, I do not follow my pastors. I follow Jesus, the Holy Word, and the Holy Spirit’s leading. In fact, if asked, my pastors would tell me that same thing: Follow Jesus – not me! Galatians 5:16 says, “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.” I don’t know about you, but for me, that verse says to live in the Spirit, and you won’t be doing as many stupid or harmful things as you once did! If we aren’t improving a little each day, then maybe we need to rethink the trajectory of our life. Friends, following Jesus, is the best thing we can do!
The New Testament is full of examples of Jesus telling people, “follow me.”
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As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.
Matthew 9:9
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Jesus called out to them, “Come follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”
Mark 1:17
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When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Luke 18:22
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Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
John 8:12
If we do nothing else in this life, we can leave a legacy of following Jesus. If we truly follow Jesus, we set an excellent example that makes others curious. They want what we have. Then when they ask what makes us different, we let them know the ultimate secret to a fulfilling life: FOLLOW JESUS!
Lord,
I pray that our lives bring attention to you, your love, your Word, your will, and your Son, Jesus Christ! I pray that we surrender every part of us to You and follow You completely. Lord, just as we accepted Christ Jesus as our Lord, we must now continue to follow him (Colossians 2:6).
In Jesus’ name, we pray,
Amen!
- Don’t Follow Me, Sometimes I Do Stupid Stuff - November 10, 2021
- How Does Your Garden Grow? - September 29, 2021
- But….am I REALLY Listening? - August 11, 2021