Why Not Follow Jesus?

In our church, songs with the themes of heaven and of grace are often sung. As we all join together heralding this good news, the idea of this blessed condition makes me weep at times. While singing, I ponder how freeing it is to live a life indelibly marked by the grace of Jesus. None of us deserve this grace. Gratitude often springs from my heart because I know without the Lord, my life would be so dark and different than it is. I am thankful for His grace in my life.

If you are a follower of Jesus, surely you know and experience the grace of God daily!

He cares so deeply for His children, and His love is boundless and inexhaustible, and unfathomable.

If you don’t yet follow Jesus, you may wonder how to make sense of this world. Surely, observing the events of our day would shake one’s soul and cause questions to swirl. I’m wondering if you are in that state now; would you be looking for peace?

The One who lives inside me is the only One who’s been able to give my life
peace, purpose, and a plan. He is my stability, my Rock, and my joy. He can be all this to you too.

This all-encompassing God also has a place reserved for me in heaven. I know this for certain, and it’s not because of anything I’ve done. It’s actually because of everything He did for me when He died on the cross. Then, when I chose to receive His gift of salvation, certainty and assurance became my eternal hope.

I don’t deserve this one bit.

It certainly isn’t because I’m a good person or because of any good works I’ve done. I am not a good person, nor do I have to do good works to earn this salvation. Any good coming from me is only because of Jesus and His precious Spirit living in me. But, I must cooperate with the work He desires to do. The good works are done out of love for Him.

My faith is in the person of Jesus, not a religion. This keeps me from becoming callous to the world and its troubles. My heart is more tender to this world, and prayer is my response. I don’t lose hope. I know there are spiritual forces at work in this world.

Indeed, I’ve decided to follow Jesus, which means my life is directed to being part of the solution to the sin problem in this world. My hope and peace are not found in this world. My victory is in the person of Jesus. I know the sovereign God of this universe lives in me, and I have peace living in this chaotic world. Do you have peace? Are you a follower of Jesus?

Consider these verses:
John 3:16&17 – “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.

John 14:6– Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Romans 3:23 -for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…

Romans 6:23– For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Ephesians 2:8-9 – I mean that you have been saved by grace through believing. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God. 9 It was not the result of your own efforts, so you cannot brag about it.

Acts 2:21 – And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Matthew 6:24– Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

 

If you believe what you’ve just read, then you can begin this relationship with Jesus.  Place your life in His hands, and you will have one Master. The world’s darkness will be quieter. You can begin to be obedient to His commands and walk in His ways daily. Peace comes. Joy is overflowing. Because we aren’t meant to live our lives in isolation, finding a Bible-teaching church is one of the most important aspects of following Jesus. Start reading your Bible. Start in the book of John. You can find several resources on this blog about reading the Bible and learning to walk in His ways. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Even Jesus said in Matthew 10:39, “Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.”

If I am to wholly follow the Lord Jesus Christ, I must forsake everything that is contrary to Him. A.W.Tozer

©Valerie Rumfelt

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