Words of Wisdom: I Am Following Jesus Christ

Scripture Reference for Understanding, Meditation, and Consecration:

Many believers say that they love the Lord.  However, according to God, they lie with their lips as their hearts reveal the truth and expose the lie.  Do they intend to lie?  I believe most believers do not intend to lie, but rather they have no spiritual conception of what it means to truly love and follow the LORD.  I will continue to have faith that change is possible.  Unfortunately, the needed change has to begin with the Church.  Church Leaders and Pastors must first submit to “absolute surrender” of their own hearts, and then to be bold and brave enough in Christ Jesus to teach and show their congregations how to follow them as they follow the LORD.

Paul encouraged the new believers to follow him as he too understood that he had to follow Jesus Christ.  God has revealed that most “leaders” of today are NOT within the will of God, and yet they want others to follow them.  God will hold such “leaders” accountable for every soul that has been led astray. See the scriptures below to see what Paul had to say on this subject: (Highlights added below for emphasis and direction)

• 15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
  (1 Cor 4:15-16)
• 1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.  (1 Cor 11:1-2)
• 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Phil 3:17-21)

Once a Believer has “tasted” of the Glory of God, stood in His Presence, or witnessed the visual Glory of God, and yet refuses to obey the words of the LORD, there is no way God grants HIS peace to such a soul.  This is stated in both the NT and the OT.  There are those that would lead God’s people to believe that they can live how they want and not obey the LORD.  This is a lie from the enemy of God.

The scriptures say that it is impossible to have tasted of the Glory of God and to walk away and then come back!  The true issue here is understanding what it means to “taste” the heavenly gift of God or to be “filled” with the Holy Ghost.  Not everyone who confesses with the mouth is “born again” of the Holy Ghost! There MUST be an outward change that is reflective of the conditions of the heart of man.  This heart evaluation is conducted only by God Himself.  God does not care what we say with the mouth…it is the heart of man that reveals the truth!  Therefore, when man has truly “known” God and experienced His Glory or stood in His Presence, this means that such a man is absolutely aware that GOD is GOD.  Do you think that God would allow anyone to know Him and choose to walk away in disobedience and serve His enemy and then allow such a one to come back to HIM?  God Forbid! My LORD says that it is far better to admit that we have NEVER known Him in His Glory than to remain ignorant by believing that we do know Him. When we come to terms with the fact that we have NEVER been “born again” or “filled” with the Glory of the LORD, we are then free to seek the LORD in helping us to be what He desires us to be.  We then are able to be forgiven for the many mistakes we have made! See the scriptures below to see what God has to say on this subject.  Obedience to God is the key. Repentance…true repentance is required!  There is no way around this requirement. (Emphasis added below for clarification)

• 20 And the Lord said, I have pardoned according to thy word: 21 But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord. 22 Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; 23 Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it: 24 But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it. (Num 14:20-24)
• 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.  (Heb 6:4-6)

God expects mankind to obey HIM.  Plain and simple.  He expects all “souls” that dare to be called by His name to follow him “wholly” and completely. There are those who will say it is impossible to “wholly” or completely follow the LORD.  Those who teach this flawed theology are liars according to the Word of God!  The scriptures below show us what God has to say about “wholly” following Him:

• 11 Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed me: 12 Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the Lord.  (Num 32:11-12)
• 6 Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the Lord said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea. 7 Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. 8 Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the Lord my God.  (Josh 14:6-8)
• 10 Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying, 11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the Lord all night. (1 Sam 15:10-11)
• 4 And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments: 5 Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel. 6 But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them: 7 Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people: 8 And at this house, which is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the Lord done thus unto this land, and to this house? 9 And they shall answer, Because they forsook the Lord their God, who brought forth their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have taken hold upon other gods, and have worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath the Lord brought upon them all this evil.  (1 Kings 9:4-9)
• 7 Go, tell Jeroboam, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Forasmuch as I exalted thee from among the people, and made thee prince over my people Israel, 8 And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes; 9 But hast done evil above all that were before thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back: 10 Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man taketh away dung, till it be all gone.  (1 Kings 14:7-10)

When God Himself speaks and tells a man to “follow Him,” it is not a suggestion but a charge or command.  The spirit of the person that is so charged “Knows” God and who He is when these words are spoken.  It is the spirit of man that responds obediently and “follows” God.  As Jesus called His disciples, they were strangers, yet they walked away from everything in their lives and “followed” Him.  The Gospels share these accounts differently and they have been included here so that you can see the variation in the pattern and understand the will of God and His expected obedience from those He has chosen to follow Him.  God expects us to have absolute faith in Him and to put nothing before Him in our lives.  This is the only way we can follow Him!  See the scriptures below that validate my words.  (Emphasis is added for clarification)

• 18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. 21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. 22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him. (Matt 4:18-22)
• 18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. 19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.  (Matt 8:18-22)
• 9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.  (Matt 9:9)
• 27 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us. 28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. 29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. 30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it. (Matt 9:27-30)
• 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.  (Matt 10:38)
• 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Matt 16:24)
• 16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.  (Matt 19:16, 21-22)
• 13 And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. 14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.  (Mark 2:13-14)
• 34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 
  (Mark 8:34)

In trying to live for Jesus Christ, it is NEVER about doing good deeds or even trying to live by the scriptures.  GOODNESS is not enough, saith the LORD God Almighty.  Our willingness to do the right thing as we intellectually understand the scriptures will never be enough if we cannot translate our actions into “following” the LORD!  When we have absolutely surrendered our hearts and personal will unto the LORD, we automatically follow God.  He does not need to ask us to do so…we follow Him.  When we refuse to follow Jesus Christ, we are admitting to God that we have not yet surrendered our hearts to His will, and that we have NOT been “Born Again.”  To be “Born Again” is to have the Spirit of God unite with and give life to our natural spirit.  Communication with God is always “Spirit to spirit.”  This transformation is needed to “see” or “enter” the Kingdom of God, thus declares the scriptures.

When we have absolutely surrendered unto Jesus Christ, we delight daily to be in the presence of God.  We follow Him around to see and hear His voice. We are content to sit silently at the feet of our LORD.  When we cherish our possessions above following God, we MUST honestly admit to ourselves that we have NEVER known the LORD!  (Emphasis is added to the scriptures below for clarification):

• 17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. 19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. (Mark 10:17-21)
• 27 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. 28 And he left all, rose up, and followed him.  (Luke 5:27-28)
• 57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.  (Luke 9:57-62)
• 18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. 20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. 21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. 24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? 27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. 28 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.  (Luke 18: 18-28)
• 43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. 44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! 48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. 49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. 50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. 51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.  (John 1:43-51)

When we allow God to control us, we begin to see Him for who He is.  We are able to distinguish between light and dark and good and evil.  Jesus is the light of ALL things pertaining to God.  Walking in disobedience before the LORD is walking in darkness.  It is impossible to walk simultaneously in the light of God and the darkness of Satan, AND actually be within the will of God.  We must choose.

It is easy to discern the spiritual walk of man when he demonstrates a lack of knowledge of the Glory of God.  When we are ridiculed for our work in Christ Jesus, it becomes clear that this is coming from the spirit of darkness.  The bible teaches us that if we KNOW the Lord, we will also recognize others that KNOW Him.  To be persecuted by those who claim to know God gives “true” believers the right to say as Jesus said, “Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.”  This does not make such a one special or unique.  Nor does it mean that such a believer is equal to Jesus.  It simply qualifies such a one to rejoice in the knowledge of the truth of who God is.

On a personal level, the statement of the Lord above allows me to proclaim that I have KNOWN the LORD!  Should I abandon that which I know just to please others?  Is it more acceptable for me to make others comfortable and risk God believing that I am ashamed of Him?  Should I diminish my relationship, or walk, with God for the sake of others?  O LORD, I cannot walk away!  It is the devil himself who would require me to compromise on knowing my LORD.  I cannot forget the testimony of my LORD, or reject the revelations of what God has taught me.  I will never ignore my experiences that have brought me this far.  I judge no one, but I will not allow the judgment of me by others to cause me to grieve my Lord and my God. O LORD, have mercy on me.

• 12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. 14 Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. 15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. 16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. 17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. 19 Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also. 20 These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come. (John 8:12-20)
• 22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. 25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  (John 10:22-27)
• 26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.  (Luke 9:26-27)

There are great blessings in store for all who “follow” the LORD.  God seeks the heart of man that He might be glorified.  We show no glory to our God when we refuse to follow Him.  We MUST love him with all our heart. There is no other way!  The scriptures declare that those that truly belong to Jesus are those that have been given to Him by Father God.  Because God knows the heart of man and those that are “true” believers, these are the “followers” that cannot be plucked from the hand of GOD.  These “followers” are those that will receive eternal life!  The disobedient cannot claim the promises of God.  We must fall in love with Jesus Christ. Not everyone that says “Lord, Lord” is a follower of the LORD.  See scriptures below that rewards those that willingly, without question, “Follow the LORD.”

• 28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. 30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.  (Matt 19:28-30)
• 23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? (Luke 9: 23-25)
• 29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, 30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. (Luke 18:29-30)
• 23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. (John 12:23-26)
• 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one. (John 10:28-30)