These two simple words used by Jesus to invite new people to become His disciples, completely redirected and forever changed their lives. The fishermen became “fishers of men,” calling people out of darkness into His marvelous light. The tax collector, Matthew, no longer cared about people’s earthly bank accounts, but their eternal soul accounts; making sure their souls were safe in Jesus, forever!
This same invitation is given to all of us… “If ANYONE desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). To deny self is to live for Christ - His purposes, His values, and His plans for our future. It will have hardships, that’s a guarantee, but we never bear them alone.
To follow Jesus is to live for a purpose greater than ourselves. It is to live with the focus that we are not to live for self promotion, but for the Kingdom of God. We are not a single entity, but part of the bride of Christ. Our goals are Divinely altered to reflect Him.
We follow Him by imitating Him (Ephesians 5:1). We strive to grow in love, like His selfless love. Compassion for others should fill our hearts to overflowing. When one hurts, we all hurt. When prayer is needed, like an army, we rise up before the Throne of Grace in intercessory petition.
To accept an invitation to follow Him is to FOREVER follow Him. The most precious truth is that His “Goodness and mercy will follow us (in return) all the days of our lives.” From the moment we receive Him, we will never be apart from His tender, constant care. Never.
Oh the joy of always being His! Of being cared for, and treasured as a child of the Most High. And to ponder this truth in light of eternity is life-giving! In ten thousand years, we will still be with Him and loved by Him!
Follow Him.
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