If you have recently decided to follow Jesus, you may be wondering what happens next.
Following Jesus is a journey that requires commitment and dedication. It’s not always easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding.
In this article, we will explore what happens when you follow Jesus and what it means to be a Christian disciple.
First and foremost, following Jesus means that you are choosing to live your life according to His teachings.
This involves more than just attending church on Sundays. It means that you are committing to a life of service, love, and compassion.
As a Christian disciple, you will be called to love your neighbor as yourself, forgive those who have wronged you, and seek justice for the oppressed. Jesus taught that the two greatest commandments are to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39).
Following Jesus means that you are striving to live out these commandments every day.
As you follow Jesus, you will begin to experience the transformative power of His love and grace. You will find that your heart is filled with joy, peace, and hope.
You will also face challenges and struggles along the way, but you can be confident that Jesus will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Following Jesus is a lifelong journey that requires patience, endurance, and faith.
But as you walk with Him, you will discover a deeper sense of purpose and meaning in your life.
The Call to Follow Jesus
If you have ever heard the phrase “follow me,” then you have heard the call of Jesus. This call is an invitation to become one of His disciples and to live a life of commitment to Him.
Comprehending the invitation, the immediate response, and counting the cost are all essential aspects of answering this call.
Understanding the Invitation
Jesus called His first disciples with the simple words, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19).
This invitation was not just an offer to join Jesus on a journey but a call to a new way of life. When you follow Jesus, you become a disciple, and your life is transformed.
The Immediate Response
When Jesus called His disciples, they immediately left their nets and followed Him. The immediate response is an essential aspect of following Jesus.
It requires a willingness to leave behind the things that are holding you back and to step out in faith.
Counting the Cost
Following Jesus is not always easy. It requires commitment, sacrifice, and a willingness to count the cost. Jesus Himself said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).
This means that following Jesus may require you to give up things that you hold dear, endure persecution, and face challenges that you never imagined.
In conclusion, answering the call to follow Jesus is a life-changing decision that requires a deep commitment to Him.
It is not a decision that should be taken lightly, but it will bring joy, peace, and fulfillment to your life. So, if you hear the call of Jesus, don’t hesitate to answer it.
The Transformation of a Disciple
As you follow Jesus, you will notice a transformation happening within you.
This transformation is not just a change in your behavior, but a change in your heart and soul. In this section, we will explore the different aspects of the transformation of a disciple.
Spiritual Growth and Renewal
When you become a disciple of Jesus, your spirit is renewed. You become a new creation, and the old things pass away.
You will start to see things from a new perspective, and your priorities will change. As you grow spiritually, you will become more aware of God’s presence in your life.
You will start to see the world through His eyes, and your heart will be filled with His love.
Developing a Relationship with God
One of the most significant changes that happen when you become a disciple of Jesus is that you start to develop a relationship with God.
You will start to communicate with Him through prayer and reading His word. As you spend time with Him, you will start to understand His character and His will for your life.
Your relationship with God will become the foundation of your life, and you will start to see Him as your Father, Savior, and Friend.
The Fruit of Discipleship
The transformation of a disciple is not just an inward change but an outward one as well. As you grow in your relationship with God, you will start to bear fruit.
This fruit is the evidence of your transformation and includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
As you bear fruit, you will start to impact the world around you positively. You will become a light in the darkness, and people will see Jesus in you.
Living Out the Teachings of Jesus
When you decide to follow Jesus, it is not just a one-time event. It is a lifelong commitment to living out the teachings of Jesus.
This means that you make a conscious effort to embody the values and principles that Jesus taught during his time on earth.
Embodying the Sermon on the Mount
One of the most famous teachings of Jesus is the Sermon on the Mount. In this sermon, Jesus lays out his vision for the kingdom of God and how we should live as his followers.
To embody the Sermon on the Mount means to live a life of humility, meekness, and peacemaking. It means to love your enemies, to turn the other cheek, and to forgive those who have wronged you.
The Role of Love and Service
Jesus taught that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself.
This means that as a follower of Jesus, you are called to love others and serve them in practical ways. This can mean volunteering at a local food bank, visiting the sick and elderly, or simply being kind to those around you.
Obedience to God’s Commandments
Jesus also taught that obedience to God’s commandments is a key aspect of following him. He said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
This means that as a follower of Jesus, you are called to obey God’s word and live according to his will. This includes following the Ten Commandments, living a life of purity, and avoiding sin.
In summary, when you follow Jesus, you are called to embody his teachings, love and serve others, and obey God’s commandments. This is not always easy, but it is a lifelong journey of growth and transformation.
As you continue to walk with Jesus, you will experience the joy and peace that comes from living a life of faith and obedience.
The Impact of Following Jesus on Personal Life
Following Jesus can have a profound impact on your personal life.
It can change your priorities, lifestyle, family relationships, and how you navigate challenges and persecution. In this section, we will explore these impacts in more detail.
Changes in Priorities and Lifestyle
When you choose to follow Jesus, your priorities and lifestyle may change. You may start to focus on things that matter more to God, such as serving others, practicing forgiveness, and seeking justice.
This may mean giving up certain habits or activities that do not align with these values. For example, you may decide to stop drinking alcohol or watching certain types of movies or TV shows.
The Influence on Family and Relationships
Following Jesus can also impact your family and relationships. You may find that some people in your life do not understand or support your decision to follow Jesus.
This can be challenging, but it is important to stay true to your beliefs and values. You may also find that your relationships with others become stronger as you share your faith and grow together.
Navigating Challenges and Persecution
Following Jesus can also bring challenges and persecution. You may face opposition from those who do not share your beliefs, or even from those who claim to follow Jesus but have different interpretations of the Bible.
It is important to stay strong in your faith and seek support from other believers. Remember that Jesus faced persecution and challenges during his time on earth, and he promised that those who follow him will also face trials.
But he also promised to be with us always and to give us strength and courage to overcome.
So, following Jesus can have a powerful impact on your personal life. It can change your priorities, lifestyle, family relationships, and how you navigate challenges and persecution.
However, it is important to stay true to your beliefs and values and to seek support from other believers. Remember that Jesus is always with you, and he will guide you on your journey of faith.
The Role of Disciples in the Wider Community
As a disciple of Jesus Christ, you are called to be part of a community that works together to build the Kingdom of God.
This community is made up of people from all walks of life who share a common goal: to follow Jesus and spread His message of love and salvation to the world.
Building the Kingdom of God
The Kingdom of God is not a physical place, but rather a spiritual reality that exists wherever God’s will is being done. As a disciple, you play a vital role in building this Kingdom by living out the values and teachings of Jesus in your everyday life.
This includes showing love and compassion to others, seeking justice for the oppressed, and working to bring peace to a troubled world.
Discipleship and Community Engagement
Discipleship is not just about personal spiritual growth, but also about engaging with the wider community. This involves building relationships with those around you, listening to their stories, and working together to meet their needs.
As Jesus said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).
By serving others in this way, you not only show them the love of Christ but also become a true disciple of His.
Spreading the Gospel Globally
The mission field is not just overseas but also in your community. As a disciple, you are called to share the good news of Jesus with those around you. This can be done through your words, actions, and the way you live your life.
Now that you understand what happens when you follow Jesus, you help to spread the gospel globally and bring more people into the Kingdom of God.
The early church understood the importance of discipleship and community engagement.
They worked together to build a strong community of believers who supported one another and shared the message of Jesus with those around them.
As a disciple today, you are called to continue this work by building relationships, serving others, and spreading the gospel globally.
