At salvation, God’s first call to you is not to join a group in church but to be a follower of Jesus. Church membership is part of God’s plan, but it is a means to an end, not the end itself. Jesus did not say, “Join my crowd”; He said, “Follow me, and I will make you.” It is as you follow that He makes you into a fruitful Christian that can bear much fruit in life, ministry and destiny. Many people are very active in church but are not deliberate about following Jesus personally, so their lives do not move from level to level in manifestation. If your Christianity is only group based, you will hide inside the crowd, but when persecution, pressure or temptation comes, it will be clear whether you truly followed the Lord or only followed friends.
When you come into a local church, you must find out who and what you are supposed to follow. Paul said, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” That means you follow men only to the degree that they are clearly following Jesus. A believer who does not understand this will follow anybody that looks successful, even if such a person is walking with the devil. As a child of God there is nothing wrong in learning in your field from people ahead of you, but you must know the limits of your followership. Jesus must remain the primary person you are following in everything, or you will gradually raise the standard of success while lowering the standard of godliness.
In this new year I want you to sit down and examine your secret models, because you become who you follow.
Some Christians come to church but are actually following celebrities, worldly professionals and unbelieving relatives in their behaviour and choices. If your real pattern in finances is a corrupt businessman, or in marriage is a godless entertainer, do not be surprised when your fruits begin to look like theirs instead of like Christ. God is calling you to raise the standard of godliness again in your own life. Decide that you will study Jesus in the Bible, follow His lifestyle of obedience, meekness, purity and courage, and then follow leaders whose doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, love and patience match that pattern. Break away from any influence that is dragging you into compromise, no matter how admired or wealthy that person is. As you choose to follow Jesus closely and follow men only as they follow Him, you will see the Holy Spirit begin to make you, shape your heart and cause your life to bear fruits that will stand in the fire of eternity.
THOUGHT TO PONDER: Who are you truly following in your secret thoughts, desires and decisions today? What practical step will you take this week to shift your followership back to Jesus and godly examples that point you to Him?
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help me to stop copying the wrong patterns, to follow You closely and to follow only leaders that truly follow You, so that my life will bear fruits that glorify God. Amen.
BIBLE IN A YEAR:
Genesis 39:1-41:16; Matthew 12:46-13:23; Psalm 17:1-15; Proverbs 3:33-35
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