Characteristic Seven of a Believer-Follow Christ

When did you become a Christ follower? I still remember where I was, what I was doing, I wish I remember the exact date but I do remember how old. As an eleven-year-old, I’m at camp, we’ve been given quiet time to think about the message given that morning. I feel the Holy Spirit drawing me close. That night I accept Christ as my savior. Beloved, are you a Christ follower? This invitation to follow Christ isn’t just when we accept Christ but on a daily basis. I’ve walked and followed Christ since I was eleven-years-old. Recently, at a retreat, the following was illustrated graphically for me. You see, the Friday night activity was to make S’mores around a firepit. The only problem is that we had to climb a steep mountain in the dark up a rugged trail with no lights. Not wanting to miss the fun, Heather Hughes and I trek up the mountain. Once up there we have to come down the mountain. The path is narrow, on the side of the mountain, crumbling rocks? Can we do this?

Beloved, the seventh characteristic of a born-again believer is we follow Christ. The definition of following is going or come after (a person or thing proceeding ahead); move or travel behind. In my first post, I shared that we are attentive to the voice of Christ, now we follow this voice. “After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.” John 10:4

[Tweet “The Holy Spirit identifies the voice of Jesus the one we are following”]

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Mark 1:16-17

Beloved, it was the same for the James the son of Zebedee and his brother John, they were in a boat fishing and when Jesus called they left their father and followed Jesus. Andrew brought his brother Peter to Jesus, he is always bringing someone to Jesus, he is the one who identified the little boy that had the five fish and two loaves to feed the five thousand. He was a follower of Jesus. Andrew was ordinary, Peter extraordinary but God used both of them as they followed Jesus.

Andrew brought his brother Peter to Jesus, he is always bringing someone to Jesus, he is the one who identified the little boy that had the five fish and two loaves to feed the five thousand. He was a follower of Jesus. Andrew was ordinary, Peter extraordinary but God used both of them as they followed Jesus.

One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “Here is a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish. But what difference will these make among so many?” “Have the people sit down,” Jesus said. There was plenty of grass in that place, so the men sat down, about five thousand of them.…  John 6: 8-10

[Tweet “The disciple Andrew was ordinary, Simon Peter extraordinary but God used both of them as they followed Jesus.”]

The seventh characteristic is to follow Christ. I made it up that dark mountain climbing the steep mountain and railroad ties with the help of Heather. I’ve two bad knees but my Lord wanted me to participate and face my fears. Once up there we had fun but all fun had to come to an end and we had to come down. By this time, Heather’s cell phone had died, we had no light. We headed down and the ladies in front of us have a cell phone but we have not asked to be with them, they are quite a bit ahead of us and it is dark, the fear of falling off the side of the mountain is great so I yell, can we follow you? Beloved, what do you need to do to add this characteristic to your life? Do you need to call out Jesus? Jesus is waiting for you to follow him.

Father God, I praise you that I can follow you and I recognize your voice. Thank you for the Holy Spirit who directs my steps. You say, “Stay on the path that the LORD your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy.” Deuteronomy 5:33 Lord, thank you that you love us. Let’s be an Andrew that brings people to Jesus, and follow Christ. In the name of Jesus. Amen

Beloved, where is God asking you to follow him? Who is he asking you to invite to a church that may become a Peter?  Will you follow him?

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This post is part of a 31 day series on the Characteristics of a Believer. I am so glad that you are here. To read all of the posts in this series, click here.