To Be a Follower of Christ

Oh, what a powerful question was posed the other night at our Bible Study. One that makes my heart happy to see such deep contemplation of Christ and our love for him. Yet one that makes me sad because the truth is hard to accept. The question was...Will people who do good, but don't know Jesus really go to hell? The answer... Yes, not every nice person will enter the gates of heaven.

Scripture tells us that it is not enough to believe in God. James 2:19 tells us this, You believe there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that- and shudder. It is not belief in God that invites us to eternity with the Lord. It is our belief in his son, Jesus Christ, as savior of the world.

Humanitarians do many great things for other people. They spend their lives caring for and sacrificing for the good of others. But in the light of eternity, these works do not equate a relationship with God. Matthew 7:22 says,  Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' God calls us to relationship. Just doing kind things or even doing kind things in His name is not enough. He judges our heart. He knows the motives and the depth of our love for him.

So, how do we confidently know if our lives are that of a true believer. Jesus gives us very clear verses to help us evaluate ourselves. Here are 3...

1. Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6  Our faith must be in God as the one and only true God and that our salvation is through his son, Jesus Christ, alone.

2. So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine"  John 8:31 Followers of Jesus, continue on in his word. They seek to know him more and to be known by him. They develop a personal relationship with him.

3. Jesus also says, "If you love me, keep my commands"  John 14:15  Our love for Christ is evidenced in our obedience to him. Our faith in him develops a relationship. That relationship spills over into good deeds done in his name for the good of others. It becomes faith in action for his glory and out of love for him!

Dear Lord,
You call us to be your disciples. Teach us how to live in relationship with you. Stir our hearts to live out your commands with joy and delight. Father, we lift to you those who do not know you and your son. Help us to be beacons of light for you that others may come to know you intimately.
Amen and amen