Believer/Follower
...Is There A Difference?

Scripture: Matthew 7: 2l-24...It is not everyone who merely says to me, "My Lord,
My Lord", who will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the 'will' of My
Father in heaven. ' A great many' will say to Me in that day, "My Lord, My Lord, did
we not prophecy in Your Name, and in Your Name cast out devils and in Your
Name do many wonders?" Then, I will declare to them, "I have never known you,
(personally), keep away from Me, you who work iniquity." Therefore, whoever
'hears' these words of Mine, and does them, he is the wise man...
The stadium was filled with fans and spectators who had come to watch the
game. The coaches and players were all in, having invested l00 % of their time,
energy, and resources. They had committed their whole lives to the sport. The
stage was set for victory. While the spectators enjoyed watching the game, it was
only the coaches and players who were playing the game that determined the
outcome. The fans could not influence the final score, only those on the field.
There is a big difference between a spectator and a player or coach. There is,
also, a difference between a fan and true follower of Jesus Christ.
It's easy to be a Christian. Jesus died for our sins and we have the free gift of
salvation. One might say that it, cost us nothing. Ephesians 2: 8-9 says, 'For by
grace you have been saved through faith; and it is not of yourselves, it is a gift of
God; not as a result of (Your) works, so that no one may boast.' Therefore, it is
God, Himself, who fills us with Himself, His very Presence, who abides in us as we
die to 'self' and it is He who does His work through us. Hallelujiah!
There is a distinct difference between being a Christian believer and a
committed Christ Follower. There is a big difference, between having a 'religion'
and having that 'personal relationship' with the Lord Jesus Christ. Many who call
themselves 'Christians' may have walked down an aisle, said a prayer, read their
Bible, listened to worship music, or even brought up in a Christian home, but are
they in truth Christ followers? Being a Christ 'follower' comes with a great 'price' or
'cost'.
Luke 9: 23-26 says, 'Then He said to them all, "If anyone will come after Me, let
him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever will save his
life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what does it
profit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his own soul? For whoever is
ashamed of Me and My Words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when He
comes in His own glory and in the glory of His Father and the holy angels.
First, it cost Jesus has life! 'But, God demonstrates His own love toward us, in
that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.' Romans 5: 5-8, Jesus, perfect
and sinless, died a brutal death on the cross for our sins. Isaiah 53:5 says, 'But
He was pierced through for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities;
the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And, by His scourging, we are
healed.' (Die to self) (Follow Me)
Second, there is a cost to the Christ-Follower who is 100% committed to walking
in obedience to God Word and by the His Presence through the Holy Spirit
everyday. They have fully 'surrendered' their lives to Christ. Their daily priority

and purpose are focused on God and His plan. They have literally prayed to die
that He and His Spirit flow through them and nothing of themselves daily. They
are willing to sacrifice their time and talents, and treasures for God's Kingdom
work. They are 'in the game' on the field and following their Lord's instructions,
l00%. They are not in the stands looking on, all comfy and cozy, and living as they
want. But, they are actively involved and engaged, looking to bringing glory to
God in every play they make in their life. (Be in the game) (Follow Me)
Third...Following Jesus means that He will make you 'fishers of men'. Being a

Christ follower means have experienced Christ in your life, that the joy and over-
flowing life in His Presence you cannot help but over-flow to share your

experiences with others. It includes constant self-denial, dying to self daily
allowing Him to live through us to God's plan and purpose. It requires recognizing
and listening to God's Voice and acting on what He says. It entails constant
humility, sharing His agape love and not the world's type of love with all its hate
and cruelty and anger, but with a passion seeking more and more of Him
everyday. Remember, all the disciples left everything behind to follow Him. They
came out of the world and allowed Him to share His very love and character,
righteousness, and miracle working power through them. They gave up hate and
were filled with His Heavenly agape love. ..to have the 'joy' that Christ now lives in
and through them. The sold-out, born-again follower literally is willing to die and
now Christ is given the privilege of living His life through them and in them on this
earth. (Surrender) (Follow Me)
Hallelujiah!

Additional Information - The word 'followers' in Ephesians 5: l-2 literally translates
to 'imitators' from the Greek word mimetes (mim-ay-tace). Imitation means
copying, emulating, or reproducing something.
For us to imitate God, we must set out to 'know' God intimately and seek to,
imitate Him and cannot express this enough, the word to 'die daily'. If we do not,
we block the flow of His life through us. And, we must be concerned that in doing
that sin does not sneak in and cut off His Spirit entirely.
Strange Fact...Have you ever thought that even Satan 'believes' in God, Jesus,
and the Holy Spirit? We hear in the world about the triune God and the three's of
Satan, the Anti-Christ, and His demonic power...in that, He has always wanted to
imitate the One True God and His Kingdom. Satan also knows the whole Bible,
word for word, as experienced in the Wilderness with Jesus and more. He is the
great deceiver who would do anything to blind this lesson with others. He is in his
end of days. His time is almost up, and he knows it! Do not be deceived by Satan
and the false ideas of man.

Jesus implores, ' (Follow Me!)'

The Good News...Even when counting the cost of our committment to Christ,
Christ's Followers will be blessed beyond measure and used mightily and
powerfully by God in His Kingdom's work. Glory to God!

Prayer: 'Father, forgive me for the times that I have gotten off tract in following
you. Thank You for bringing me back and keeping me on track by the power of
Your very Presence, the Holy Spirit in my life'. Give me wisdom and strength and
willingness to now hear and obey, to search my heart in my own iniquities that I
thought were 'okay...Grace'! Help me to totally surrender in my life right now, get
out of the pews-stands, and from now and truly 'Follow You' as complete Lord and
Savior for the rest of my life.'

In Jesus'

Name.....Amen!!