True follower of Jesus?
Let the followers of Jesus show their powerful presence. But who is a true follower of Jesus? What is his or her distinct identity? What would we say is the way the Bible would describe a true follower of Jesus who will live as salt and light in his or her community and nation?
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The following are seven characteristics that mark the true follower of Jesus:
• Christ in you the hope of glory
“To them God has chosen to make known among the gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)
• Christ’s presence with you – the divine presence
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
“The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14)
• Christ’s resurrection power at work in you
“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.” (Ephesians 1:19-21)
• Christ’s glory given you
“The glory that you have given me I have given to them that they may be one even as we are one.” (John 17:22)
• Christ’s crown of righteousness awaits you in heaven
“Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing .” (2 Timothy 4:8)
• Christ’s fruitfulness through you
“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciple.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” (John 15:8&16)
• Embraces the principle of the cross
“Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:3)
“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12)
We note the true follower of Jesus pursues the following Christlike lifestyle:
• Prayer-filled life
• Word-centered life
• Holy Spirit-empowered life
• Practical holy-living life
• Charitable and compassionate life
• Sacramental life (A life that makes present and visible, the realm of the invisible Spirit. Through the sacramental life we experience God as truly present and supremely active in daily life - in family life, in church life, in work life, community life and in national life).
• Transformational, fruit-bearing ministry life - bears lasting fruits and leaves a Christ-honouring legacy.
The Psalmist celebrates the upright person as follows:
“Praise the Lord!
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
who greatly delights in his commandments!
His offspring will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in his house,
and his righteousness endures forever.
Light dawns in the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.
It is well with the man who deals generously and lends;
who conducts his affairs with justice.
For the righteous will never be moved;
He will be remembered forever.
He is not afraid of bad news;
his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.
His heart is steady; he will not be afraid,
until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.
He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever;
his horn is exalted in honour.”
(Psalm 112: 1-9)
The true follower of Jesus is a person committed to following Jesus fully, is being transformed by Jesus, and joins Jesus in carrying out God’s mission in his or her nation and in the nations of the world.
The true follower of Jesus lives a regular lifestyle of godliness with integrity in every area of human life. People watch his or her life and give glory to God!