What it Truly Means to Follow Jesus

Whenever someone comes to Jesus and is baptized in our church, we usually sing:

I have decided to follow Jesus,
No turning back, no turning back.

This song reminds both them—and those of us watching—of the reality of our surrender to Jesus.

Originally written and sung by new converts of the Garo tribe in the northeastern state of Meghalaya in India, this hymn powerfully expresses what it means to follow Jesus. Its roots are in stories of Christian faith and persecution. The lyrics remind us of the unwavering faith with which people choose to follow Him.

More often than not, we assume that belonging to Jesus and having access to the Father will make everything comfortable and easy. But that’s not so, as we live in a fallen world among sinful people and face circumstances corrupted and influenced by the philosophies of society. We are hampered and hindered by our sinful nature, even though we long to please the One who rescued us from the kingdom of darkness. Attacks by the principalities and powers of darkness add to our struggles, as we are prime targets of the enemy of souls. Seeking to discredit God and destroy all who follow Him, he constantly works to hinder our progress in Jesus.

In such circumstances and pressures, we need to understand all that’s involved in our walk with Jesus.

Following Jesus means choosing to please Him.

Deciding to follow Jesus is easy, but living for Him daily means deliberately choosing to be His disciple. Being a disciple is being an apprentice of His principles and the practitioner of His ways. So, we need to surrender our will for His, and every life decision must be filtered through the grid of His Word. We must choose to live a life that focuses on pleasing Him alone.

We need to surrender plans and ideas for His, allowing His Spirit to sift through our self-seeking ambitions. We must actively live by what He has envisaged for us and trust the plans He has as they’re only good. We must prioritize pleasing Him over having our way or what pleases us. Looking to promote His glory, spread His fame, and live a life worthy of His calling should be our motto.

When we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, He will always care for and provide for us. We will have Jesus’s mind, which brings life and peace. Resting and living in confidence will be our portion since He will preserve us until the day He returns to claim us.

Following Jesus means choosing to raise your family for Him alone.

We must actively follow Him in raising our family as His disciples. We must choose to accept that they are His and treat them as treasures entrusted to our care. We need to lay down our aspirations and wishes for them and seek to know what He has planned for them.

Then, we must pray for His purposes to be fulfilled in their lives and lay down our life as a sacrifice for it to happen. We need to model the life of Jesus before them in the home, treating our spouse, kids, and extended family in a way that would attract them to Jesus. Then, they would be attracted to Jesus and dedicate their hearts and lives to Him.

We must teach and model the idea that all we have belongs to God and that we are simply stewards of His blessings. We must handle all that is given to us—family, finances, friends, facilities, and more—wisely and diligently, knowing that one day we will have to give an account to Him. Our homes should be testimonies of His grace so that our Christlike demeanor and conduct will draw others to Him.

As I do that, our family will not be lost but will be with us in His presence when He comes. Our children will be taught of Him, and great will be their peace. We will see our generation be a godly one, showing forth His glory!

Following Jesus means choosing to make His people your people, always.

The greatest challenge today is for us to accept that we are not just individuals but part of the community of Jesus. We must acknowledge that every person in Jesus, irrespective of class, caste, color, or country, is our family, too. If we truly love Him, we must love His people and do good to them always, working to build unity and not sowing disunity or dissension among His people.

Our lives and all that we do will impact and affect the church and its witness. Therefore, we have a responsibility not to act out of self-interest or selfish ambition but to look to the interests of others. We cannot be individualistic or self-centered but must do what we can to enhance the well-being of others in the family of God. We are also called to use our gifts, abilities, and talents to actively build the Body of Christ.

The examples of Achan in the Old Testament and Ananias and Sapphira in the New Testament are enough to warn us about the importance of helping and not harming His church. God is not unjust in overlooking our work and the love we have shown for His name in serving the saints (Hebrews 6:10).

Following Jesus means choosing to participate in His mission.

God sent Jesus into this world to reclaim it for Himself so that His Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy could be re-established here. Jesus has now commissioned us as His ambassadors in this age and time. As we imitate Him—showcasing His nature and character to a watching world—many will be drawn to His glory. His power, made visible in our lives, will rescue others, too, setting them free from sin, sickness, and Satan.

As those who know and are convinced of His coming, we are called to live wisely and intentionally, being salt and light in this dark world and offering hope to all. We are His co-workers and colleagues in restoring His authority on earth. Therefore, we must partner with the Holy Spirit to faithfully complete this mission.

We will then share in the blessings of the gospel and receive a crown of glory and life.

Good outcomes and great endings.

The decision to follow Jesus is a deeply personal one, but it must be attended by progressive and transformative change. Such a metamorphosis can happen only when we’re governed by faith, motivated by the desire to please Him, passionate about living out His teachings, and zealous about reflecting His principles.

This aroma of Jesus in us will then spread life and vitality all around us, overpowering and overcoming the stench of death that is at work in this world.

We will be like John the Baptist, preparing the way for His coming and His Kingdom!