How Do We Follow Jesus?

How do we follow Jesus? God wants to change us. His plan for us is to transform us—to make us more like him, more like Jesus in character. As we have seen, his Holy Spirit plays a central role in bringing about this life change as he lives in us and communicates with us. Living and walking and communicating in relationship with him is essentially what it means to be a disciple or follower of Jesus Christ.

So, how do we follow Jesus Christ? To answer that question let’s look at what Jesus told those who wanted to be his disciples. Jesus told his listeners:

“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23 NLT)

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. They will listen to my voice….” (John 10:14-16 NLT)

“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:15)

“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5 NLT)

Jesus explained that his disciples follow him, putting aside their own selfish ambitions, dying daily to self. Jesus’ disciples know him relationally in the same way that the Father knows him. His disciples learn from Jesus’ example and do the same things he does. Jesus’ disciples remain, abide, live in, dwell with, spend time with or hang out with him in a relationship as organic as that of a branch on a vine. The disciple recognizes that he/she can do nothing without Jesus, but he/she is totally dependent on him.

To put it simply, a disciple of Jesus Christ actively and intentionally pursues relationship with Jesus by spending time with him and getting to know him—his character and his works—better. Our relationship with Jesus Christ is one of dependent diligence. That is, we are totally dependent on him and he asks us to be diligent in pursuing our relationship with him. (See 2 Peter 1:3-9.) In the days to follow, we’ll look at some ways we can diligently pursue our relationship with Christ.

© Rob Fischer 2008