HELPFUL CHRISTIAN HABITS – FOLLOWERSHIP & FRIENDSHIP

“If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also.” – John 12:26a

REFERENCE:

JOHN 12:24-26

Jesus said, “If you want to be my disciple, follow Me…” To live successfully as a Christian, you must develop the habit of followership – following Jesus and calling others to follow Him. Paul said, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” He meant you should be a disciple and be habitually involved in making disciples. The call of Jesus to you to follow Him also entails your calling to be a fisher of men. As you have been called to Christ, call someone else to Him.

We would never have read the accounts of Peter, James, John, and the other disciples if they had not followed Jesus. Tutored by Him, they passed on the torch of faith. They followed Him for three years, watching him perform many miracles – feeding the multitude, raising Jairus’ daughter, giving sight to the blind, and delivering the demoniac of Gadara. They followed Him until they became worthy to be followed.

After three years, Jesus escalated His relationship status with the disciples; He said, “You are no longer My servants, but friends.” Wow! Jesus could stoop and be friends with these fishermen and tax collectors. Isn’t it great that God calls you and me friends? The goal of followership is the formation of a bond of friendship. However, friendship can also open the door to followership. If you have been a follower of Christ for some time, you should become a friend of God and men. A friend can be counted upon to stay through good and bad, rain or shine. Jesus said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” We are assured of His loving presence always; He is a faithful friend, a friend who sticks closer than a brother. His followers, therefore, must strive to be faithful friends to members of the family of faith. Jesus loves us unconditionally; we also should love without discrimination.

You cannot say you are a Christian and be so difficult to be around; your Christianity is questionable. Jesus was so friendly that tax collectors and chief sinners came to Him; they hung around him long enough until the power of God and His friendship transformed them. A good Christian demonstrates God’s transforming love to those around him. He is a loyal friend, staff, spouse, and business associate. His life is his greatest message, and like insects are drawn to light, his life draws people to him and eventually to Christ, the Light of life. He loves unconditionally and stays when everybody leaves – to spend time with you, pray with and cry with you, counsel you, and show you God’s love.

Be a follower of Jesus and a friend to mankind.

PHOTO QUOTE

ADDITIONAL STUDY: 

John 15:15, Proverbs 17:17 & John 8:12

CALL TO ACTION

Who are you presently helping to become like the Lord Jesus Christ? Are you taking out time to teach them how to pray, handle tough situations, have a quiet time, read the bible and depend on God for help? It could be your spouse, children, colleague, neighbor, a recent convert, or someone in your church; through your service, help shape somebody’s future. The goal of Christianity is to make somebody else what God has made you. Find somebody in whom you can pour yourself. Get them some of the books you read, or messages you listened to that changed your life.