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The "why" of why we follow Christ is infinitely important as to whether our faith is a lasting one, and a saving faith.
If we follow Jesus because we want a more comfortable life, prosperity in material goods and ease; then we are not following Jesus of Nazareth, we are following our own desires.
If we follow Jesus so that we may be self assured and self righteous in our own eyes, and hopefully the eyes of other people, then we are not following the Risen Christ, but have only become puffed up modern Pharisees.
If we follow Jesus so that we may belong to a proper social club, and so it fits with our own political ideology and how we want to see the world run, we are not following the Word Made Flesh, but merely repeating the mistakes of those, such as Judas Iscariot, who thought they could use Jesus to set up an earthly kingdom.
But...
If we follow Jesus Christ, very God of very God, part of the Triune Godhead, because He is worthy to be followed, worthy to be praised, worthy to be called Lord, then we are His.
If we follow Jesus because we want a more comfortable life, prosperity in material goods and ease; then we are not following Jesus of Nazareth, we are following our own desires.
If we follow Jesus so that we may be self assured and self righteous in our own eyes, and hopefully the eyes of other people, then we are not following the Risen Christ, but have only become puffed up modern Pharisees.
If we follow Jesus so that we may belong to a proper social club, and so it fits with our own political ideology and how we want to see the world run, we are not following the Word Made Flesh, but merely repeating the mistakes of those, such as Judas Iscariot, who thought they could use Jesus to set up an earthly kingdom.
But...
If we follow Jesus Christ, very God of very God, part of the Triune Godhead, because He is worthy to be followed, worthy to be praised, worthy to be called Lord, then we are His.
If we follow this Good Shepherd because He laid down His life for us, His sheep, and we cling to the promise of the salvation His blood has bought, then we are assured He will keep us and present us before His Father.
If we do as He commands, both in times of comfort and in times of persecution, then we are His disciples. If we know that there will be times when standing for Him *will* cost us, be it friends, a job, a business, our lives, yet we remain firm, then we know that His promise is true and that He will never forsake us. His peace and grace shall lay upon our hearts even in the worst of storms.
If we pick up our cross and follow Him, we will find out that He carries the greater weight of our suffering and cross; always shouldering the worst.
Why do you follow Jesus?
be blessed, my friends and may you be a blessing unto others.
be blessed, my friends and may you be a blessing unto others.
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