To truly follow Christ means dedicating one’s life to imitating Jesus’ teachings and example. It involves repenting of sin, trusting in Jesus for salvation, and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us into Christ’s image. True followers of Jesus commit to living lives of holiness, service, sacrifice, love, and obedience to God’s word.
Repenting of Sin
An essential starting point for following Jesus is repenting of sin. Jesus began His ministry by declaring, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). To repent means turning away from sin and turning to God. It involves recognizing our sinfulness, feeling sorrow for our sins, confessing our sins, and resolving to live a new life in obedience to Christ. True repentance will be evidenced by changed attitudes and behaviors. Unless we repent, we cannot receive forgiveness of sins and new spiritual life from Christ.
Trusting Christ for Salvation
In addition to repenting of sin, following Jesus requires trusting in Him alone for salvation. We cannot earn our salvation through good works; it is only by God’s grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). When we understand our helpless sinful condition and Christ’s power to save, we can fully trust in Jesus’ sinless life, atoning death, and resurrection as the sole basis for our salvation. We rely on His righteousness instead of our own efforts. Those who truly follow Jesus have been born again by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3).
Obeying Christ’s Teachings
True disciples of Jesus obey His teachings out of love for Him. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). His key commands include loving God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39), making disciples (Matthew 28:19-20), seeking first God’s kingdom (Matthew 6:33), and the many ethical instructions in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Obeying Christ’s teachings sanctifies us and sets us apart from the world. It also requires dying to self and submitting fully to God’s will.
Imitating Christ’s Example
In addition to obeying Jesus’ words, His true followers seek to imitate His life and character. As 1 John 2:6 says, “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” This means living as Jesus did – devoted to prayer, led by the Spirit, loving the unloved, serving others sacrificially, offering grace and truth, and always glorifying the Father. Imitating Christ also means suffering as He suffered by facing rejection, ridicule, and even persecution for following Him. Our lives should demonstrate the same humility, love, and holiness that Jesus exemplified.
Crucifying Sinful Nature
True followers of Christ also crucify the sinful nature with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24). We put to death our old self so that we can live in newness of life as redeemed children of God (Romans 6:6). The Holy Spirit empowers us to produce His fruit rather than the deeds of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-23). Our old ungodly attitudes and behaviors are replaced by Christlike virtues as we yield to the Spirit’s sanctifying work. Though the flesh still wars against us, true followers of Jesus gain increasing victory over sin.
Serving and Sacrificing
Following Christ also involves serving others, just as Jesus modeled servanthood during His earthly ministry. He instructs His disciples, “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26). We serve the Lord by ministering to those in need – the poor, the marginalized, the hungry, the naked, and the persecuted. True servants are willing to sacrifice personal comforts, rights, ambitions, and interests for the sake of serving others as Jesus did. He gave up His very life, and His true followers must take up their crosses daily (Luke 9:23).
Living Set Apart
Since Jesus has called his disciples out of the world (John 15:19), true followers live set apart, holy lives. We are in the world but not of it (John 17:14-16). Unbelievers should see a stark contrast between our Christlike conduct and their sinful lifestyles. This requires fleeing from sinful practices, avoiding worldly attitudes, and pursuing greater holiness and purity by God’s grace. Following Jesus means leaving behind ungodly influences, activities, and associations in order to draw nearer to God. We no longer conform to the patterns of this sinful world (Romans 12:2).
Producing Spiritual Fruit
True disciples of Christ bear spiritual fruit through the inner working of the Holy Spirit. As we abide in Christ, the Spirit transforms us to be more like Jesus. The fruit the Spirit produces includes Christlike love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These qualities characterize the lives of those following Jesus in the power of the Spirit. Bearing fruit brings glory to God and shows that we belong to Christ (John 15:8). The abundant fruit in our lives proves our discipleship.
Being Obedient and Faithful
Finally, following Jesus means a lifetime of obedience, faithfulness, and endurance. True disciples do not merely have an initial enthusiasm that quickly fades. We persevere to the end in our obedience, even through times of difficulty or disillusionment. We maintain faithfulness to Christ every day, always seeking to know Him more and yield to Him fully. We continue believing His teachings, trusting His work, and hoping in His return. We run the race with endurance and finish well (Hebrews 12:1-3). Only those who endure to the end will be saved (Matthew 24:13).
In summary, following Christ encompasses repentance, faith in Jesus for salvation, obeying His teachings, imitating His example, crucifying our sinful nature, serving sacrificially, living purely, producing spiritual fruit, and demonstrating lifelong obedience and faithfulness. This wholehearted devotion to Jesus will manifest itself in every area of life – our priorities, thoughts, words, behaviors, attitudes, values, relationships, and stewardship. Following Jesus is not easy, but it brings great joy and reward, both now and for eternity.