If you are a follower of Jesus, there is a high chance that at some point you have believed a lie about what following Jesus actually looks like. I have debated for hours on how to open this post and I finally decided that would be a good place to start. You see, there's quite a few myths going around about what following Jesus looks like, and they're all just that--myths. You hear them in schools, in friendly conversations, in families, and...even in church. As Christians we can sometimes swing from one myth to the next or land somewhere in between, while still believing the lie they've planted in our hearts. Don't believe me? Well, that's why I wrote this article. To show you four common myths that Christians believe about following Jesus and why they aren't true. Myth #1: Following Jesus means a happy life free of pain or suffering. This is more commonly thought of as the prosperity gospel. And oh, is it ever wrong. Jesus never promised a life with no pain or suffering. In fact, all He promised was that if we followed Him we surely would face suffering and even persecution for Him. Yes, God is a good Father who loves to give good gifts to His children, and I certainly have received countless blessings from Him. But that doesn't mean I never suffer or I'm free of pain. But when I follow Jesus, I know and believe that I have a faithful Friend to walk through the pain and suffering with me. He doesn't promise no pain. But He does promise I'm never alone. "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you." (Isaiah 43:2) Myth #2: Following Jesus isn't really a sacrifice. The first myth can often lead into this one. And this one can get pretty tricky very quickly. Here's the truth: If you are following Jesus wholeheartedly, it is going to cost you something. It's not enough to say we follow Jesus and then live our lives however we feel like living them, without sacrificing anything for Him. He gave up everything for us. Why can't we give up everything for Him? "Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." (Matthew 16:24-25) Myth #3: Following Jesus is done only on Sundays. Jesus didn't just die for your sins part-time. So don't live for Him part-time. Following Jesus is not like a job where you "clock in" at church every Sunday and Wednesday and then when you leave you're done following Him for the week. Nope, not how that works. Following Jesus is hard and messy sometimes and it's definitely a 24/7 deal. If we are to develop a relationship with Jesus and know Him, it can't just be for a couple hours a week. Relationships take work and time. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." (John 10:27) Myth #4: Following Jesus is about a list of rules that I have to follow perfectly. Oh, did I believe this one for a while. And sometimes it's the easiest one to start believing. This lie can convince us that we have to do more and be more and try harder to earn God's love. It can deceive us into believing that if we do not follow all of the rules we think we should, then we have failed at following Jesus. Here's the truth: I sin every day. Every day I mess up and I fall and I get messy. And every day in His mercy, God picks me back up, dusts me off, and reminds me to keep following Him. God cares more about you than He does your performance. Following Jesus is more about a relationship than it is a list of perfect rules to follow. "For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart--these, O God, You will not despise." (Psalm 51:16-17) Following Jesus isn't easy or pain-free, it takes a lot of sacrifice, it's 24/7 commitment, and it's more about a relationship with a perfect God than following rules to be the perfect Christian. Following Jesus will always look differently than we first think, but one thing I do know: It's the greatest adventure of life. Comments are closed.
|
Archives
October 2019
Categories |