“And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” —Matthew 4:18-19
“Follow Me.” It was as simple command, yet those to whom it was given would be changed by it. They were given the call—a call to leave everything they knew and set out on an unknown journey with an unknown destination. They could have resisted; they could have clung to their old life and refused the call. Yet that day, Peter and Andrew chose to leave behind their nets and follow this man they called Jesus.
Have you ever thought about what it might have been like to be one of the twelve apostles of Christ? Think of being an established, and perhaps very successful, fisherman, lawyer, doctor, or businessman. Your life is going well, your family is fed and clothed, yet now a man who some claim is the Messiah is calling you to give up your old life and follow Him. What are your thoughts and reactions? Do you follow Him or not?
The disciples faced a difficult decision, yet you and I face that decision today as well. The call that Jesus gave to these twelve men, He has given to us. “Follow Me.” The word follow is an interesting word. Today let’s look at three defining characteristics of follow and how they apply to our relationship with Christ.
First, follow has been defined as “to accept as a guide or leader; accept the authority of or give allegiance to.” In order to follow Christ, you must give your allegiance to Him. Are you committed to Christ and to His plan for your life? A life of “followership” requires your allegiance to Him and trust in Him.
Second, follow has been defined as “to conform to, comply with, or act in accordance with; obey.” Along with being committed to Christ, following Him requires a compliance with His plan and an obedience of His commands. You cannot be a follower of someone and not obey his rules. Imagine a soldier not obeying his commanding officer, or an employee not abiding by the rules of the employer. In order to be a Christ-follower, you must obey the commands He has given in His Word.
Last, follow has been defined as “to imitate or copy; use as an exemplar.” Too often Christians desire to follow Christ without becoming like Christ. They commit to God’s plan, obey His commands, yet never strive to live as Christ lived.
The essence of following Christ is becoming like Christ. Christ has called you to follow Him—to commit to His plan, obey His commands, and to become like Him. He has reached out to you as He reached out to the disciples. It will take a giving up of your old life—your former pursuits and desires, but God promises that as you decide to follow Him, He will bless you beyond what you can imagine.
The decision you must face isn’t whether or not to follow, but what you will follow. Everyone follows something, whether it be a person, thing, or hobby. God desires that you would choose to follow Him above anything else in your life.
What is keeping you from following Christ? Are you committed to His plan, obedient to His commands, and becoming more like Him? Today, determine to follow God. Consciously choose to follow the Lord before all other pursuits. Strive to follow His path, obey His commands, and live like Him today. –By Dr. Paul Chappell
