Following Jesus is not for the faint of heart! A somewhat sad, but very telling narrative occurred between our Lord and some would-be followers in Luke 9:57-62. Each of these individuals had a “reason” why he could not immediately follow Jesus. Some of the reasons given seem somewhat justifiable from the human standpoint. However, no reason that we could ever give for not following Jesus is justifiable in the eyes of the Lord. For those who truly want to follow Jesus, there is a daily price that must be paid (Luke 9:23). However, what is involved in that daily price? What does following Jesus really entail?
Firstly, following Jesus includes doctrine. “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine…” (John 7:17). Doctrine is teaching or instruction and is the guideline for how we walk (1 John 1:7; 2:6). No one can follow Jesus acceptably and walk by some other standard of authority (2 Thessalonians 3:6). Doctrine is so essential in following Jesus that many of the religious folks in Jesus’ day were condemned for changing divinely given doctrine (Matthew 15:8-9). So important is doctrine that Peter demanded, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God…” (1 Peter 4:11a). Checking doctrine regularly (2 Timothy 2:15; 1 John 4:1) is so important because Paul warned that some will change the pure doctrine into a “doctrine of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1; cf., Galatians 1:6-9). Because one cannot follow Jesus without proper doctrine, Paul exhorted Timothy, “Till I come give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:13). Just a few verses later, Paul lovingly warned the young evangelist, “Take heed to thyself and unto the doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Timothy 4:16). Doctrine is essential in following Jesus!
Secondly, following Jesus involves deeds. Sadly, we are all sometimes guilty of the sin of knowing the right thing to do but not doing the right thing (James 4:17). In fact, Jesus warned that some of the religious folks in the first century were “saying, but not doing” (Matthew 23:3). I guess we all could take a front pew on this one! In following Jesus, we must sincerely and diligently match our deeds with pure doctrine. Paul reminded Timothy, “Let no man despise thy youth: but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Paul earlier warned the church in Colosse, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” (Colossians 3:17). If our deeds do not match our doctrine, something is amiss in the way we are living. While we all stumble and fall contrary to the doctrine, our goal must be to walk as we talk! Deeds are essential in following Jesus.
Thirdly, following Jesus includes duration. One of the challenges of following Jesus is that no matter how difficult life gets, we must never quit! It is not enough to start following; we must be committed to die following Jesus, if necessary. Christianity is a daily marathon wherein each new day gives us another opportunity to grow and to do better than the day before. (Thank God for His daily mercies, Lamentations 3:22-23). Sadly, sometimes Christians become so overwhelmed with daily struggles that they give up and turn their souls over to the devil. Jesus reminded those amazing saints in the latter part of the first century that no matter what tests and tribulations they faced, they needed to endure to the end (Revelation 2:10).
I would do well today if I could, just for moment, put myself in the shoes of those Christians. What were they facing? How difficult was it for them to live under an ungodly governmental system, which was set on murdering and torturing people of faith? How difficult was it for them to be separated from loved ones, worshipping in secret, maybe not even being able to sing very loudly for fear of being caught by the oppressors? Trying to evangelize communities where many neighbors would turn one into the authorities for even mentioning the name of the Savior was dangerous. Dear friends, we must understand that following Jesus is not always an easy way to live. In fact, it is sometimes downright difficult to hold our tongues when others are mocking. It is nearly impossible to not stoop to the level of those with whom we go to school and with whom we work. It does not take skill to be as mean and nasty as the world; it takes skill and maturity to be different! Following Jesus means that we must never quit; we must endure.
Christianity is not for the faint of heart! We must remember that following Jesus takes commitment (Luke 9:23). Some simply will not devote the time or effort to following our Lord (Luke 9:57-62). Others will begin but then just walk away (John 6:66). Yet, for those who follow His doctrine, emulate His deeds and exhibit faithful duration, the reward is out of this world. Don’t lose heart brethren! “Be thou faithful…”
