God has been really continually putting on my heart in the last little while the question of "what does it really mean to follow Jesus?"
this has been mixed in with questions like, "well if i was going to tell someone what it means to follow Jesus, how would i do that?" and "if someone was to tell me they want to follow Jesus, how would i help them to do that and what would i encourage them to say, read or think about?"
talked about this with
Christop on the way home from Melbourne yesterday where we, had lunch at Credo, a part of
Urban Seed, visited the
Immigration Museum, and went to the
Forge Postcard event where
Michael Duncan shared some of his story and passion.
some of our conversation included these thoughts and some i am adding in now:
- often the way we as "Christians" "share the gospel" it is done in such a way that it is made so easy to "become a Christian" that after this decision is made the people have just been told that they need to just have "faith" in God and accept His forgivness and you have eternal life. "giving your life to Jesus" may be mentioned also but i find rarely explained as to what it really means to "give your life to Jesus" and so the person is left with this "faith" in Jesus that they now have eternal life, as if Jesus is some kind of a vending machine for the consumer world and that eternal life in heaven, Jesus will sovle all your problems, or something similar is the product that they are getting. Jesus is not a vending machine for a happy comfortable life, if Jesus were a vending machine for life (which he is NOT) happy and comfortable would not be on the label, something more like DANGER will cause brockeness, persecution, suffering and lots of people who smell, are dirty, are sick and in need of help will come to you. Other possible side effects true joy, eternal life, relationship with God, healing, blessing, gifts, and more.
- one of the other things was about how often there is a dead faith, a faith without deeds, as James talks about in his book that is in the Bible. so often we show people who "become christians" a faith without deeds, and they soon follow, with some throwing it all away because they came and got what they wanted/needed from the vending machine and now they see something else they want from another vending machine so they go for that.
- i am guilty and ask for forgivness as i seek to change
- so what does Jesus and the bible (inspired by going through the
gospel book of Mark) say about following him, what does Jesus do?
- come follow me and i will make you fishers of men
- the kingdom of God is near, repent and believe the good news
- call other people to follow
- teach people about God
- cast out demons
- heal people
- pray in solitary place
- have compassion
- let people know they can have forgiveness
- have dinner with people who are called the scum
- call those who are sinners not those who think they are good enough
- even when people stand against you still always do what is right and good in God's eyes
- appoint some to learn from you that you may send them out
- speak in parables, stories so that some may turn to God
- do God's will
- consider carefully what we hear
- have rest and sleep
- have faith in God
- restore peoples dignity
- raise the dead
- send out those who have been with you to do as you have been doing
- go to a quiet place to get rest
- feed the hungry
- walk on water ( hehehe :) ) don't let things of this world stop you from doing anything but have faith in God who created all and is above all things
- do not hold onto the traditions of man but the commands of God
- make the deaf hear and the mute speak, stick your fingers in their ears and spit and touch their tongue ??? do what God says even if you may think it weird
- If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?
- what does it mean to deny myself and take up my cross for Jesus? and lose my life for Jesus? will i give up the things in this world i desire to follow Jesus?
- go up a high mountain taking only your closet mates and talk with Moses and Elijah? Go with Jesus where ever he goes and when meeting with God don't forget the rest of the world, listen and remeber what Jesus has said
- help people overcome their unbelief
- be the very last, and the servant of all
- welcome those who are thought to be insignificant
- live in peace with others, don't quarrel with others who go by Jesus name
- have faith like a child, anything is possible don't question what God can do, trust him, speak it and surely it will happen
- bless those who are thought not worthy
- give up everything you have for Jesus
- leave everything you have for Jesus
- follow Jesus all the way even if it means being mocked, spat on, flogged and killed, if you feel like it raise from the dead three days later too, i'm sure it will be a sight
- do not live to be served, but to serve and give you life for others
- have mercy for those who ask
- throw people out of God's temple when they are doing the wrong things there. Get rid of the rubish from your life that corrupts the temple of God, our bodies. Don't muck around God is serious kick it out now!
- forgive other people so God may also forgive you
- don't let hypocrites get the better of you, don't be one yourself
- don't be swayed by men but hold strong to the way of God
- love God with everything in you and leave nothing out. do what he says, obey his every command. serve only the Lord God. Fear God alone. do what is right and good in God's eyes. live life for him only. love God because he loved you. (some of the inspiration for this came from
Dueteronomy's correlating verses)
- love others as you do yourself. take care of others as you would yourself? treat others in a right manner with all integrity. treat people who are different than you with the same respect you would a fellow friend. be just and judge fairly showing no favouritism. speak well of others so that your words may show kindness, mercy and grace. do all you can to keep others from death. be of a pure heart towards others giving all the grace that has been given to us. love others as God has loved you. (some of the inspiration for this came from
Leviticus' correlating verses)
- take the lowest seat in a house, treat others highly
- restore the dignity and respect of others
- be flogged
- stand as witnesses for Jesus before governors and kings
- preach the gospel to all natioins
- say whatever the Holy Spirit tells you when you are arrested and brought to trial
- hated by all men because of Jesus
- watch for the return of Jesus and don't be caught taking a nap
- go to the homes of those who no one visits
- protect the vunerable from those who would treat them harshly
- love even those who betray you, include them at your table when you eat
- sing a hymn with your brothers in Christ, praise God together
- when you are vulnerable openly make it clear to your close friends so that they may keep watch over you.
- seek God in your times of need, and always be mindful to follow his way and seek to do his will
- face the facts that seemingly bad things will happen to you by following God's ways, but do not be afraid God has his purposes and it is for his Glory that we must live
- stay true to the will of God no matter what it will cost you, even to death
- mockery and insults will come when you follow God's will
- go into all the world preaching the good news to everyone
- drive out demons
- snakes won't be able to harm them, neither will poison
- speak in new tongues
- heal the sick
i really like that Jesus lived by God's standards and not anyone elses, it makes following him so much more of a challenge, and getting a good kick up the ass by a real challenge is good for me. too often i have found it not so much of a challenge to be very "spiritual" in the eyes of many Christians and be an excellent "christian" by their standards, which are often far too low. i am glad God's standards are much too high. life would be so boring if it was far to easy to follow Jesus.
