“You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.”
John 15:16 CSB
Two thousand years ago, Jesus called four fishermen from their nets to “come follow Me.” They did what fishermen don’t do: They dropped their lifelong work to follow after a man they barely knew.
In those three years, the first-ever followers of Jesus logged many miles and a lot of stumbles. They were looking for the wrong kingdom—a political kingdom. Jesus’ parables stumped them. They said stupid things. They wouldn’t believe that the Messiah had to suffer and die. They could hardly believe Jesus rose from his tomb.
Their faith was slow and small. And yet, they did it—they “walked the same road” with Jesus before anyone else did. Even in all their bungling, these men knew some things about following Jesus that we present-day followers forget.
The disciples knew they weren’t simply adding God to their already busy lives, as we often do today. When they first began, those twelve men weren’t even sure who Jesus was, but they knew what He required and what He was worth. They gave up their jobs; they left the security of their families to pursue the Kingdom of God, a Kingdom they could not yet see, but they believed in.
We may not be called to give up our jobs or leave our families in the same way, but walking with Jesus is far more than adding God as a helpful accessory to our busy lives. Following Jesus changes the entire direction and motivation of our lives.
Following Jesus is more than a relationship; it gives us real work to do in the world. Jesus’ inner circle knew from the start that they had been brought into an intimate relationship with this unusual rabbi. But the Messiah was here for more than their personal well-being—and ours. From the start, Jesus made it clear He was on a mission—and they were as well.
“Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Just as He left to return to the Father, He commissioned all of us: “Go into all the world, preaching the gospel . . .” It’s easy to focus on our personal relationship with our own personal Savior, but our faith is meant to go out and move and shake the world toward heaven.
None of us have been called to be “Lukewarm” Christians. Christianity is not something that you play at or do when it fits into your schedule. It is a life-changing event that permeates throughout everything: your outlook, your speech, your actions, your business dealings, your relationships…everything about you. If it’s not, then you need to check your Salvation.
“For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion, that one died for all, and therefore all died. [15] And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised. [16] From now on, then, we do not know anyone from a worldly perspective. Even if we have known Christ from a worldly perspective, yet now we no longer know him in this way. [17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! [18] Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. [19] That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us. [20] Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” [21] He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:14-21 CSB
In these troubled times we live, take the time to reevaluate your Salvation and your commitment to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Step out on faith and follow what He has called you to do, and “know that all things will work out for good.”
“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 CSB
Somebody's Gotta Say It... 