True Discipleship

James 2: 14-16...What does it profit, my brothers, if a man says he has faith but
has no works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and lacking
daily food, and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,"
and yet you give them nothing that the body needs, what does it profit? So faith
by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
There are some people who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior
but do little to act on others behalf...James l:27; 2:14-l6. Others actively follow
Christ: they live as true disciples, passionately pursuing the Lord's will in all
things. These are the ones who take their relationship with Christ seriously. We
have to ask ourselves, 'Are we merely a 'believer' or actually a 'Spirit-led follower
of Christ'?
Trusting the Lord is fundamental, but it is only the first step. Your primary
purpose is to take a lifelong journey following in the Lord's footsteps - honoring
Him with your actions and speech and increasing in your knowledge of Him and
His ways.
A Christ follower's life is summed up in the phrase, 'Complete Obedience'. In
fact, Jesus defined 'True Christians' as those who prove their love for Him by
obeying His teachings...John l4:23. When it comes to obeying God, our only
response is 'I will' or 'I won't'. It's tempting to say 'I will, but...'as some would-be
disciples did, that's a roundabout way to say 'No'..(Luke 9:57-62). Followers
remain faithful to the Lord's plan whether doing so is easy or hard. Not only that,
but they proclaim Him in both good times or bad. And, they follow Him even when
they are uncertain where He is leading.
Followers pursue the Lord because they know that the reward is a deeper, more
passionate relationship with him. They are not just waiting to spend eternity with
God in heaven; eternity begins now, as they take their place by His side on the
righteous path He has set before them.
Matthew 22:l4 says, "For many are invited but few are chosen." The call has
gone out, and it is still going out. Whatever your background, you are being called
to Christ -- away from 'sin', called into 'holiness' in Him. Some take the call
'seriously'. They are the ones who take time to hear from God. They are the
ones who actually 'do' something. The call has gone out, and some will allow
following Jesus to shape their entire lives.
Jesus makes it clear that being called as one of His disciples has a 'price'. He
said, "Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their
cross daily and follow Me"...Luke 9:23. To the original disciples, crosses
represented torture, physicel abuse, and death. Jesus reference to 'taking up the
cross' must have sent waves of fear through the ordinary people whom Jesus had
called into extraordinary lives.
The conversation that followed could have gone something like this...First, you
asked me to leave my business and my family to follow and learn from You, and
now you're telling me that you're going to die and that I have to deny myself and
follow in Your steps. Don't you think that's asking a little too much?'

But, Jesus responds, 'Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their
life for My sake will find it.' Matt. l0:39.
It was only as His disciple acted on Christ's call that the true significance of His
words became reality for them. In time, confusion would disappear and they
would experience the exhilaration of giving their lives totally for the cause of
Christ.
So, the question remains...Are you a 'believer' in Christ or are you a 'Follower of
Christ'? Remember, being called to Christ means being called away from 'sin'.
That requires repentance. Realize you have sinned, repent, and place your faith
and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, then, grow in the knowledge of Him and His
ways.
I beseech you...Listen to the Spirit of God as He speaks to your heart. Listen to
the Lord's direction and do it according to His Word. And, expect exciting days
ahead as you live out Your calling with Christ by your side all the way!

Amen.