Don't you hate it when you ask a question and the answer given forces another question? As Christians we are all called. But called to what? To what God has purposed. And what has God purposed? Feels like we are running down a rabbit hole and the farther we go, the further we are from understanding the answer to our first and most pressing question. As a Christian, what on earth am I supposed to be doing? And Jesus said, it's simple - "Follow Me".
The picture I included is of "Iron Mike". That statue is the icon of the U.S. Army Infantry. The Queen of Battle! (I was Armor and Aviation BTW) Iron Mike is leadership immortalized in bronze. The essence of leadership is leading by example. And that is exactly what Jesus did. Martie has been a Group Leader in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) for several years. We were talking about John chapter 10, and she shared some of her study notes from BSF. This statement caught my attention.
"We often overcomplicate the Christian Life. Jesus simplified the essence of true faith: He leads, and we follow." BSF Lesson 14 John Chapter 10
It isn't that Jesus was doing things on His own. Winging it if you will. He had His eyes fixed on the Father.
"So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise." - John 5:19
And so, when we follow Jesus, we do what He does, and He does what the Father does. Pretty simple. And what did Jesus do? Obeyed the will of the Father and laid down His life to fulfill His eternal purpose.
"But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?" - Matthew 16:23-26
Lofty words that are easy to say "Amen" to but not so easy when you are faced with the sacrifice that following will require. To follow Jesus will always cost you something. You will have to lay down your nets - the things that you value. The things that define you and follow Jesus by faith. Is there something that you struggle with letting go to follow? Do you think the disciples packed their nets, just in case? Have you?
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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