Are you a follower of Christ?

[John81]

What does it take to become a follower of Christ?

Is it a matter of reciting a certain prayer? No. A prayer of faith may facilitate discipleship but it does not initiate it. We aren't saved by saying magic words.

Does it require the mastery of certain doctrine? It is true that there are certain truths that are the bedrock of faith, you can know the right answers and still not be a true follower of Christ. Discipleship is not simply an exam you must pass.

Is it about church attendance/involvement? These things are valuable resources for a follower of Christ but joining the church and following Christ are not necessarily the same thing. As the old saying goes, "going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you a car!"

A true follower of Christ is one who recognizes the rebellious nature of their own soul and have turned to Jesus for forgiveness and new life. The true follower is one who actually sets out to follow Christ! The idea of an unchanged believer is a contradicition in terms. Believers are not perfect by any stretch of the imagination but they should be different. The true believer says, "I am not what I should be, I am not what I could be, I am not even what I want to be . . . . however, by the grace of God I am also not what I used to be."

Periodically it is a good idea to ask ourselves a penetrating question: am I a true follower of Christ or am I only a pretender? It is a very important question. Answer it thoughtfully and prayerfully.

Pastor Bruce (our pastor)

[JerryNumbers]

John, I wonder many times about this verse.

Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

how many of us reall deny self, take up our cross, the follow Jesus?

[John81]

This is why Scripture tells us we should examine ourselves to see if we are truly in the faith. There will be many who thought they were right with God but will hear Jesus tell them to depart for He never knew them.

None of us are perfect but the true Christian can look to their lives and see things they deny themselves for Christ...perhaps alcohol, unmarried sex, chasing money, most movies, worldly music, doing whatever we want...

Scripture warns us over and over again to make sure we are born again. We must examine ourselves, look at our fruit, look at our lives and see where we are today compared to where we were when we believe we were saved.

We are to do the same with others. Don't take for granted a person is saved. We are to look at their fruit, we are to disciple others, guide them to examine themselves according to Scripture and if their fruit doesn't match their profession of faith we should go over the Gospel with them to see if they have really been born again.

The Way to heaven is narrow and few will take it. We need to be sure we are truly on that narrow Way and that others truly are too.

[ptwild]

This is why Scripture tells us we should examine ourselves to see if we are truly in the faith. There will be many who thought they were right with God but will hear Jesus tell them to depart for He never knew them.

None of us are perfect but the true Christian can look to their lives and see things they deny themselves for Christ...perhaps alcohol, unmarried sex, chasing money, most movies, worldly music, doing whatever we want...

Scripture warns us over and over again to make sure we are born again. We must examine ourselves, look at our fruit, look at our lives and see where we are today compared to where we were when we believe we were saved.

We are to do the same with others. Don't take for granted a person is saved. We are to look at their fruit, we are to disciple others, guide them to examine themselves according to Scripture and if their fruit doesn't match their profession of faith we should go over the Gospel with them to see if they have really been born again.

The Way to heaven is narrow and few will take it. We need to be sure we are truly on that narrow Way and that others truly are too.

I understand what you are saying, however, it almost looks like you are suggesting that works, at least in the form of denying oneself, is essential for salvation. After all, to deny oneself of a desire, not matter what the desire may be, is an affirmative contemplative step. Or in other words, a work. If "who so ever believeth in him shall not perish, but have ever lasting life," then, other than obedience, why should one be concerned with denying themselves. (before any personal attacks are levied, please be aware that I agree with you. I definitely agree that we should not participate in premarital sex, greed or drunkeness. However, I believe our reasons for not participating should be a desire to be obedient, not a prerequisite for salvation)

[trc123]

I understand what you are saying, however, it almost looks like you are suggesting that works, at least in the form of denying oneself, is essential for salvation. After all, to deny oneself of a desire, not matter what the desire may be, is an affirmative contemplative step. Or in other words, a work. If "who so ever believeth in him shall not perish, but have ever lasting life," then, other than obedience, why should one be concerned with denying themselves. (before any personal attacks are levied, please be aware that I agree with you. I definitely agree that we should not participate in premarital sex, greed or drunkeness. However, I believe our reasons for not participating should be a desire to be obedient, not a prerequisite for salvation)

Agreed!

[JerryNumbers]

No, he is not pointing out works saves anyone, but if faith is present, so will good works be present. After all we are saved to do good works.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Eph 2:10 (KJV)

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Matt 7:20 (KJV)

I might add, the good works come forth from us out of love for Christ, not to save us, for we know we are saved by.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:8-9 (KJV)

Thanks to God's mercy, thru faith in Jesus Christ, not of our self, not of works, it is a gift.

That is more than likely what John means.

[John81]

It seems in nearly every thread these days there are a few who have to attack every biblical concept put forth.

These people promote drinking alcohol, that folks can be saved and show no signs of their salvation, that even obviously lost sinners are probably in heaven, that Catholic false teaching really isn't false, that it's okay for unmarried men and women to spend the night together alone in the same house, the idea that many wicked, worldy pleasures are okay for Christians, etc.

It's really tiring and no amount of Scripture put forth is ever accepted. Such is either rejected or outright ignored.

As Scripture says, bad company corrupts good morals. All of this isn't good for anyone here.

Jerry, if I become scarce for awhile or only post very little, you know why. Scripture tells us not to cast our pearls before swine and to separate ourselves from those who profess to be Christians yet reject clear Christian teaching.

[PreacherE]

It seems in nearly every thread these days there are a few who have to attack every biblical concept put forth.

These people promote drinking alcohol, that folks can be saved and show no signs of their salvation, that even obviously lost sinners are probably in heaven, that Catholic false teaching really isn't false, that it's okay for unmarried men and women to spend the night together alone in the same house, the idea that many wicked, worldy pleasures are okay for Christians, etc.

It's really tiring and no amount of Scripture put forth is ever accepted. Such is either rejected or outright ignored.

As Scripture says, bad company corrupts good morals. All of this isn't good for anyone here.

Jerry, if I become scarce for awhile or only post very little, you know why. Scripture tells us not to cast our pearls before swine and to separate ourselves from those who profess to be Christians yet reject clear Christian teaching.

[1John2:15-17]

I thought we were to search ourselves regularly to try to ensure that we are not partaking (or thinking) in worldly things.

IMHO, from my observations it seems like there are many in this world today who "call" themselves Christian, Saved, etc. and wear that as a badge, but yet are not separated (don't yield good fruit) and profess trust in The Lord to appear that they are separated, when in fact they are not (as evidenced by their fruit or lack thereof).

[Wilchbla]

To be a follower of Christ takes self-depreciation. As John the Baptist said, "he must increase but I must decrease."

Or as Paul stated:

Philippians 3:7-10

7: But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

8: Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

9: And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

10: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Notice in verse 10 how Paul's statement takes a DOWNWARD path instead of an UPWARD path. Anotherwards, his walk with God starts with knowing Christ as he is now on the right hand of God. Then it moves to knowing Christ's resurrection when Christ was on earth. Then it moves even farther downward to the sufferings of Christ life during his ministry. And then his path leads to the cross and tomb. So following God is actually a downward progression. Dying to self, or better yet, dying along with Christ, in order to fully know God. This is being a follower of Christ and I believe very few believers every really experience this. Especially in America.

A good thing to meditate on are the last seven sayings of Christ on the cross. Each saying signifies a point or place a Christian come to in his walk with God who decides to bear the cross of Christ. Check it out sometime. Thrist. The feeling of abandonment. Commitment. Concern for loved ones. Etc.

Hebrews 11:25-27

25: Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26: Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
27: By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

[JerryNumbers]

Yes, here we are on a IFB board, but yet we have members who are for all of these things you mentioned.

You know, I don't go around those message boards where Christians promote these things you mentioned as being alright in the sight of God. Even thought the Bible proves this stuff is wrong in the sight of God, I respect their opinions, and their right to believe anything they chose, their right to have discussion without me telling them constantly that they are wrong. But yet many of them do not return the favor.

But them there is another thought, there is few there be who hold to God's Word, that will enter into the narrow gate. So in that respect, I expect us to be few.

Plus those who believe such thing do not seem to come here to learn, but to promote what they believe constantly telling us we are wrong. But notice one thing, they usually don't back up their beliefs with verses, or if they do they jerk them completely out of context.

I must admit, its discouraging at times.

But on the change, the change that is suppose to take place when one is saved, its biblical.

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Cor 5:17 (KJV)

Any person who has accepted Christ as Savior, they become a new creature, they turn from the old things, sin, they become all new, if not, there has been no new birth, they still be lost in their sins. This is not to run them down, but to show them Bible truths.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Eph 2:10 (KJV)

One cannot do good godly works when they're practicing sin against God. You cannot fellowship with God while practicing sin. The one who does only lies to their self, they're not walking in the Light.

We know who walks in the true Light by their fruit, that is they do not keep His commandments.

3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

1 John 2:3-4 (KJV)

But as you say, the same ones over and over promote such sins as you point out, sad.

I will make another step, it hasn't happened lately, but in the past I have had such people who defend some of the sins you speak of tell me that they're just as spiritual and close to God as I am. Strange, I've never made the claim to anyone that I'm more spiritual than they are that I walk closer to God than they.

[PreacherBen]

John, I wonder many times about this verse.

Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

how many of us really deny self, take up our cross, the follow Jesus?

Bro. Jerry,
A more sobering question might be, if we do not deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow him, are we his?

Ben

[JerryNumbers]

Either lost or back sliders.

Wow, deny our self, that just does not come natural, something a person cannot do unless they live in the power of God, not self.

[automaster]

Thats Good preachin. If we dont follow Him its because of our pride. And as we all know pride is what got Lucifer kicked out of heaven. It would be great if we could drink the kind of wine jesus made (out of water). I know I'm preaching to the choir.

[deputydog530]

Never understood the big argument. When saved, there will be a change there will be fruit ( thats the fruit of the spirit by the way) and there will be sins. From Adam to Sampon, to David to Peter, to us today. A believer can fall into any sin at anytime (take heed lest ye fall).

I know some saved folks that try to justify thier sin, but you can read the conviction on them. Others who speak as though they are Christian but 0 change in them. While I agree with the above posts from John and Jerry 100%, we must be careful not to turn salvation into works because someone did not act like we think they should (not saying thats what you all said, just making a point.) Ben, great post. Jerry is right, it is not natural to deny self in the flesh. Praise God for the Holy Spirit and Praise God for his forgiveness when we mess up over and over and over.

This I say then, walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh!