Following Jesus is Not the Same as Twitter
February 13, 2009
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Posted by Ray Fowler
Following Jesus is not the same as Twitter. Twitter is a service that allows you to “follow” other people online as they post brief messages throughout the day (similar to Facebook status updates). It is a relatively simple and painfree way to keep up with friends, relatives, or business associates. Following Jesus does not mean simply keeping up with him or checking in on him periodically.
Rather, the call to follow Jesus is the call to discipleship. It means that you put Jesus first, that you give him your complete loyalty, obedience and trust. Just as the disciples left everything to follow Christ, you re-orient your entire life around Jesus. He is your Master; he is your Lord; and he calls you to follow him.
“Come, follow me.” It is a simple, absolute call. There is no wiggle room; there are no other parameters. You are either a follower of Jesus or you are not. (From Sunday’s sermon: When Jesus Calls)
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. (Mark 1:16-18)
Categories: Christ, Discipleship, Twitter
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I just read an article by Jill Briscoe that talked about how following Jesus also isn’t about being good at “holy substitutes”. We can do all the “right things” like attend church and read our Bibles and still keep our hearts far from Him. It’s obedience. It’s submission. It’s surrender. And it’s actually knowing HIM. Most of all, it’s worth it! Great thoughts, Ray. They challenge us to the wholehearted commitment He deserves and asks for!
Ray, that was a wonderful sermon on Christ’s call to his disciples in Mark 1. I think our ememies (world, flesh & devil) try to muddy the waters and make the Christian life seem too murky and complicated, when all we have to do is “follow Jesus”.
A godly camp director at our church camp years ago used an old chorus as sort of a theme for all of us. And my dying father echoed those words many times in the last months and days of his life…”The Lord knows the way through the wilderness, all I have to do is follow”…! That’s it…just follow Jesus! He is “the Way, the Truth and the Life”…so why wouldn’t we follow Him?
When many turned away from Jesus and would no longer follow Him (John 6), Jesus said (undoubtedly with a broken heart) to His disciples, “Do you also want to go away”? Thank God, Peter had the right answer this time when he said, “Lord, to whom shall we Go? You have the Words of eternal life”!!
Oh, if only a host of us would sing and serve by the words of another well-known chorus…”I have decided to follow Jesus…no turning back…though no one join me, still I will follow…the world behind me, the cross before me…no turning back”!! Lets all take up our cross daily, and FOLLOW JESUS!!
Sharon – Thanks for sharing about “holy substitutes.” It is a good reminder that nothing can substitute for Jesus, not even good things.
Don – Thanks for the encouraging words on the sermon and for your good thoughts on following Jesus.