What does-it-take-to-follow-christ

WHAT DOES
IT TAKE
TO FOLLOW
CHRIST?

T
his is an important
question in a day when
CONTENTS most people seem to believe
in God on their own terms. How
many of us would be counted
Solo Or Symphony? . . . . 2
among the small band of former
What Does Christ fisherman, public enemies, and
Want From Us? . . . . . . . 4 prostitutes who followed Jesus?
1. Dependence . . . . . . . 5 Has our democratic attitude
2. Risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 about personal rights, life, and
government affected the way we
3. Loyalty. . . . . . . . . . . 18
think about authority, obedience,
4. Imitation . . . . . . . . . 23 submission, and the lordship of
Encore! . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Christ?
Herb Vander Lugt and
Kurt De Haan have written this
booklet to call us back to an
attitude toward Christ that all
too often has been forgotten. We
pray that this study will renew
and deepen your desire to follow
our Lord and Leader.
Martin R. De Haan II
Managing Editor: David Sper Cover Photo: J. C. Leacock/Adventure Photo & Film
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas
Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
© 1992,1997,2002 RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, Michigan Printed in USA

© RBC Ministries. All rights reserved.

SOLO OR tried to perform a piece
SYMPHONY? he had written himself. A
trombonist broke into a jazz
number. Chaos reigned.

A
s the auditorium lights The audience sat for several
dimmed and the minutes in stunned silence,
curtain began to then walked out in disbelief.
rise, the concertgoers ended Fortunately, the situation
their conversations and described above is fictitious.
turned their attention to the Skilled musicians who agree
stage. The conductor strode to play in an orchestra
to the podium and bowed simply do not behave that
in response to enthusiastic way. They sign on with the
applause. agreement that they will
Then the conductor follow the conductor’s
turned to face the orchestra. lead. They are part of a
He raised his baton and symphony, not soloists who
began the concert with a just happened to be playing
dramatic gesture. What at the same time.
followed was one of the Unfortunately, we who
strangest concerts have declared ourselves to
imaginable. be followers of Christ can
After the harmonious behave as the members of
first minutes, only a few that imaginary orchestra
musicians continued to did. We may not like to
follow the conductor’s lead. think so, but we all have a
The others seemed to play tendency to want to direct
only when they felt like it, our own lives. We tend to
or they played a completely focus on self-survival and
different tune. A violinist self-promotion, and we
sauntered out in front and think we are wise enough
2

and strong enough to take distracted. We may have
care of ourselves. Our goals forgotten that as part of His
take on greater importance “symphony”—subjects of
and urgency than God’s His kingdom and members
goals for us. And again, in His church—we are to
though we would be submit to His direction
reluctant to admit it to of our lives. He is the
anyone, we act as if God Conductor, the Head, the
is supposed to help us get King whom we serve. Doing
what we want out of life. what He wants us to do is
This can happen even what our new life is all
when we know the truths about. He longs to lead
expressed in the Bible. us through a life that will
demonstrate to a watching
“audience,” the unbelieving
“Only he world around us, that we
know what it means to be
who believes is His people. He wants us to
obedient; only he demonstrate the validity of
who is obedient our profession of faith.
This booklet seeks
believes.” to point to the essential
Dietrich Bonhoeffer elements of a life that
follows our Conductor’s
lead. As we do that together
Although we are with other believers, we will
thankful for what Christ bring beautiful praise to
did for us on the cross, and Him. And we will discover
we gladly accepted His offer the joy of experiencing
of forgiveness and eternal God’s approval both now
life, we may have gotten and forever.
3

WHAT DOES how we relate to Christ
CHRIST WANT affects more than a musical
performance or the outcome
FROM US? of a ballgame—it affects
• What does a conductor all of our relationships,
want from musicians? our eternal well-being,
• What does a teacher and our joy here and now.
want from students? For many of us the
• What does a boss demands may seem too
want from employees? hard to achieve. Even
• What does a coach though we may admit that
want from players? our relationship with Christ
• What does a parent is not what it should be,
want from children? we are afraid of what
• What does a general wholehearted obedience
want from soldiers? to Him will cost us. The
• What does a ruler stories of great Christians
want from citizens? who spent hours in prayer
All these relationships every day or patiently
have elements in common. endured persecution or left
Every leader desires his everything to serve the Lord
followers to take directions, may have left us feeling
make use of his help, do hopelessly inadequate. We
whatever is necessary to wonder what the Lord really
complete assignments, expects from ordinary
place loyalty to him above people like us. And besides,
other relationships, and put so many believers around
his teachings into practice. us seem to have lost their
When we consider what enthusiasm and we don’t
Christ wants from us, we want to “stick out like a
may feel uneasy. After all, sore thumb.” We feel the
4

pressure to conform to the DEPENDENCE
status quo of the Christian
community in which we
worship and serve. But we
know that there should be
more to following Christ.
D EFINING O UR T ERMS
Disciple: A follower, a student.
The term is applied to those who
choose to give devotion and
obedience to Jesus.
In this study, we will
rediscover what it means Jesus said, “Abide in Me,
to be a disciple of Christ. and I in you. As the branch
We will see that devotion cannot bear fruit of itself,
to Him is not for only a few unless it abides in the vine,
special people. He doesn’t neither can you, unless you
demand the impossible abide in Me. I am the vine,
from us. He knows what you are the branches. He
we are made of, and He who abides in Me, and I in
will patiently guide us as him, bears much fruit; for
we learn more and more of without Me you can do
what it means to obey Him. nothing. . . . These things
He also offers His strength I have spoken to you, that
to help us carry out His My joy may remain in you,
commands. and that your joy may be
The type of life that full” (Jn. 15:4-5,11).
Christ wants from us can What have you
be summarized by four key heard through the
words: dependence, risk, grapevine? Jesus used
loyalty, and imitation. the analogy of a grapevine
5

to communicate the most resignation to a life of
important element of misery as we carry out
obedience to Him. Our our duties for God, but
obedience must grow a life that will give us the
out of a close relationship greatest sense of personal
with our Lord. Just as a fulfillment. That sense
branch of a grapevine of satisfaction and our
produces fruit only as it is fruitfulness come as we
connected to and drawing “abide” in Christ.
nourishment from the vine, How are we to
so too we can produce the “abide” in Christ? To
fruits of obedience only live in close relationship
as we are continually with Christ, we must
connected to and drawing depend on Him for wisdom,
nourishment and strength strength, and direction in
from our Lord. life. To have an intimate
relationship with Him, we
Dependence: Reliance, trust, must not be deliberately
or faith. In this booklet, the term holding on to some
is used to refer to the intimate rebellious attitude or action
relationship we are to have with that we know we should
Jesus, expressing our love and confess and forsake. The
drawing on His wisdom and
strength. barrier to our relationship
will be removed and we will
That kind of life, a life be forgiven if we confess
of ongoing dependence our sins (1 Jn. 1:5-10).
on Christ, not only pleases Abiding also means that
Him but also produces we listen attentively to what
the greatest joy in us (Jn. God has to say to us in the
15:11). So what we are Bible—not merely getting
considering is not a morbid our daily quota of Bible
6

reading for the day but have begun to cultivate this
thinking and praying about deeper communion with
what we are reading. Just as Christ, you have no desire
you show respect and love to return to the shallow life
for a person who is talking of the careless Christian”
to you by carefully listening (Be Transformed, p.42).
and responding, so too we This matter of abiding
need to make our time of in Christ is essential if we
Bible reading an occasion want to please God. We
to get to know God. cannot live the Christian
life in our own strength
by the power of our own
We cannot live will. We must live with a
the Christian life in continual reliance on
Christ. Jesus said, “Without
our own strength Me you can do nothing”
by the power of (Jn. 15:5). He didn’t say we
our own will. could do some things or a
few things—He said we
could do nothing to please
To abide also means God without His working
that we spend time in and through us.
expressing to the Lord our Just as we were saved by
deepest thoughts, hurts, God’s grace through faith in
desires, and details of our Christ (Eph. 2:8-9), we are
lives. He wants us to talk to now to live for God by
Him about our successes trusting Christ. The apostle
and our sources of shame. Paul made this point in
He cares about us. his letter to the Galatian
Bible teacher Warren believers. He said, “After
Wiersbe writes, “Once you beginning with the Spirit,
7

are you now trying to attain or more of the following
your goal by human effort?” conditions. We will be:
(3:3 NIV). And to the • defeated by sinful
Romans, Paul wrote, “In habits
the gospel a righteousness • preoccupied with a
from God is revealed, a list of do’s and don’ts
righteousness that is by • self-deluded and
faith from first to last, hypocritical
just as it is written: ‘The • plagued by inner
righteous will live by faith’” emptiness
(1:17 NIV). • depressed by
D EFINING O UR T ERMS joylessness
Faith: Trust, belief, an expression • exhausted by busy
of confidence and dependence. self-effort
We receive the gift of salvation by • frustrated by a sense
faith, putting our soul in Christ’s
care because He showed Himself of distance from God
trustworthy by His life, death, and • trapped by worldliness
resurrection. We are to live by What kind of fruit is
faith, continually relying on Christ produced in the lives
to help us. of those who abide in
Faith requires Christ? Galatians 5 lists
dependence on Christ, several characteristics of
relying completely on someone who is living in
Him—first for our salvation dependence on Christ and
and then for the ability to the indwelling Holy Spirit.
live the Christian life. The “fruit of the Spirit”
What happens includes love, joy, peace,
when we try to live longsuffering, kindness,
without depending on goodness, faithfulness,
Him? If we are not relying gentleness, and self-control
on Christ, we end up in one (vv.22-23).
8

The apostle Peter offered characteristics that Paul and
the following characteristics Peter said should be part of
as evidence of the kind the lives of those who are
of life that is growing in walking with Christ,
Christlikeness (2 Pet. 1:5-7). depending on the Holy
• faith Spirit who lives within.
• perseverance Are we bearing spiritual
• virtue fruit? If not, why not?
• godliness How does prayer
• knowledge show our dependence
• brotherly kindness on Christ? David Brainerd
• self-control (1718–1747) served as a
• love missionary to the Seneca
and Delaware Indians of
“As far as God North America and died at
age 29. He left a diary that
is concerned, there reveals he normally spent at
is no reason for least 2 hours in prayer every
you to live, except day and that he often fasted
and prayed for a period of
to bear fruit.” 48 hours. Martin Luther said
Erwin Lutzer that when he expected an
especially busy and trying
Peter said, “If these day he would prepare for it
things are yours and by spending 3 hours in
abound, you will be neither prayer.
barren nor unfruitful in the Does this mean that God
knowledge of our Lord Jesus expects us to pray at least 3
Christ” (v.8). hours every day? Does God
We need to evaluate our want us to set aside 12-hour
lives on the basis of the periods for prayer and
9

fasting? Maybe, but not When Paul wrote, “Pray
necessarily. Although He without ceasing” (1 Th.
wants us to pray, He has 5:17), he obviously was not
not given us a minimum telling us to pray 24 hours
time-frame. While all of the a day. He was aware that
believers who made a great time is needed for working,
impact for God prayed, eating, and sleeping. But we
not all of them spent hours should be so God-conscious
every day in prayer. Some all the time that we are
talked with God calmly, continually in an attitude
simply, briefly, and of prayer about what is
expectantly. And God going on in our lives.
answered them too! In John 15, Jesus
indicated the importance
P RAYER S UGGESTION of abiding in Him if we are
You may find it helpful to to receive answers to prayer
remember four key words: adore,
appreciate, admit, ask. Adore the (v.7). When we are close to
Lord by praising Him and Him, our requests will be
expressing your desire to honor in line with His will.
Him with your life. Let Him know What can we do to
how much you appreciate all He remove any barriers in
has done. Admit your sins and
accept His forgiveness. And ask our relationship? First
Him to fulfill your requests. John 1:9 tells us, “If we
Your prayer-time may be brief confess our sins, He is
at first. But as you develop a faithful and just to forgive us
sense of God’s continual our sins and to cleanse us
presence, you will lift silent praise
or requests to Him through the from all unrighteousness.”
day. Your prayer-life will gradually This verse is not a formula
become richer and more for salvation. When we
satisfying. accepted Jesus as our Savior,
we were forgiven, received
10

into God’s family, and made committed without our
citizens of heaven (Rom. realizing it. We need not
5:1-2; Eph. 2:1-10). If we work ourselves into deep
have been forgiven, why feelings of guilt. We need
do we need to confess our only to acknowledge the
sins? And what will happen sins of which we are aware
if we refuse to confess and ask the Lord to help
certain sins because we us overcome them.
don’t want to quit doing
them? How detailed must Salvation: Forgiveness of sin,
this confession be? secured by the life, death, and
Even though we are resurrection of Jesus. We are
completely forgiven the rescued from sin’s penalty and
moment we put our faith power when we receive the free
gift of forgiveness by trusting
in Christ as our Savior, sins Christ alone.
committed after that point
in time can create a barrier The demand is simple.
to a close relationship with But the consequences of
Him. Therefore, we must taking sin lightly can be
talk to God about our sins, very serious. If we decide
acknowledging them, that we don’t want to
accepting His forgiveness, confess our sins because
and asking Him to help us we don’t desire to give
gain the victory over them. them up, we can expect
When we confess our discipline. In Hebrews 12:6-
sins, we express to God our 7 we read, “For whom the
realization that we sinned Lord loves He chastens
against Him. We need not [child-trains], and scourges
plead. We need not ransack every son whom He
our minds to dredge up receives. If you endure
transgressions that were chastening, God deals with
11

you as sons; for what son is Christ? Are you growing
there whom a father does closer to Him, learning
not chasten?” When we are more what it means to
willfully disobedient, this depend on Him throughout
chastening may come in the your day for strength,
form of sickness and even wisdom, guidance, and the
death (1 Cor. 11:29-30). ability to serve God through
A joyful Christian life is your words and actions?
impossible for those who Are you taking time to read
think lightly of their sins. the Bible prayerfully, asking
God to show you what you
D EFINING O UR T ERMS need to know and do? Are
Obedience: Submitting our will you setting aside time in
to the desire of someone else.
We are to do what our Lord asks your schedule for prayer?
us to do. Identify the obstacles that
keep hindering a close
The most fundamental relationship with Christ
issue, therefore, that we and ask Him to help
must understand to live you to overcome them.
an obedient life is this
matter of dependence. The
kind of obedience God is A joyful Christian
looking for comes out of a life is impossible
relationship of trust and
love for Jesus Christ. When for those who
we are reliant on Him, think lightly of
obedience will be our their sins.
heart’s desire.
Thinking It Over.
How would you describe
your relationship with
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RISK climber, for example, may
wonder if the risk is worth
the thrill of reaching the
top. When his muscles
feel as if they will give out,
when winds whip at him,
when doubts about his
safety rope enter his mind,
or when his breathing
becomes difficult because
of the lack of oxygen, he
will be tempted to quit.
Jesus said, “If anyone
desires to come after Me, D EFINING O UR T ERMS
let him deny himself, and Risk: Danger of losing something.
We are to obey Christ no matter
take up his cross daily, and what the possible cost, but He
follow Me. For whoever more than compensates us for
desires to save his life will what we may lose.
lose it, but whoever loses
his life for My sake will The same panic can
save it. For what profit is strike a soldier. During
it to a man if he gains World War II, a patriotic
the whole world, and is young man envisioned
himself destroyed or lost?” himself as a brave fighting
(Lk. 9:23-25). man capturing South
What have we Pacific islands from the
gotten ourselves into? Japanese. So he enlisted in
Many people have asked the Marine Corps. He was
that question when they deeply disappointed when
were faced with great his first assignment was a
personal risk. A mountain clerical job. He expressed
13

his feelings to his feel that they have signed up
supervisors and was for a suicide mission rather
thrilled when he was than what they hoped would
assigned to a combat be more like a pleasure
unit. A few months later cruise. They may have
he landed in Guadalcanal. initially been told that if they
One of the first sights that receive Jesus as Savior He
greeted his eyes was a will bring peace and joy to
truckload of corpses—the their lives, and they didn’t
bodies of dead Marines anticipate the hardships.
stacked like cord wood. At What does it mean
that moment he thought, to deny ourselves?
What did I get myself into? It is not the denial of food,
fellowship, and other
good things just to make
“He who has My ourselves feel miserable.
commandments It does not mean developing
a weak, nonassertive
and keeps them, personality. It means
it is he who putting Christ’s claims and
loves Me.” commands above our own
Jesus (Jn. 14:21) desires. If what we know
Christ wants from us
clashes with what we
Many followers of Christ want to do, we say no to
also may wonder what they ourselves and yes to Him.
have gotten themselves into. That’s a big order! But it’s
When they read the words neither outlandish nor
of Christ about taking up a unreasonable. With God’s
cross and losing their lives help we can obey it. And we
for Him, suddenly they may will be happier when we do.
14

What does it mean (Lk. 9:24), He did not
to take up our cross mean that we should seek
daily and follow a martyr’s death. His point
Christ? Jesus is asking has to do with how we
that we be willing to commit invest our lives.
our lives to Him, to follow If a person invests his
in His steps, and even to life in the pursuit of selfish
die for Him. It doesn’t pleasures and earthly fame,
mean that we must make he will “lose it.” After all, this
ourselves suffer or do things earthly system is temporary.
just to invite persecution. On the other hand, the
person who invests his life
D EFINING O UR T ERMS for God will reap great
Cross-carrying: To be willing to
suffer whatever persecution may
reward. Like the kernel of
come our way because of our wheat that is buried and
identification with Christ. dies, only to spring up and
reproduce itself, the believer
To take up the cross may who “loses his life” will find
involve much persecution, it in a glorious eternity (Jn.
as has been the case in 12:24-25).
many countries of the Should we really
world, or it may involve take these words
little. It is the attitude, not seriously? It is quite
the amount of suffering and obvious that missionaries
shame we endure, that like David Livingstone,
counts in God’s sight. Hudson Taylor, and William
What does it mean Carey took these words
to lose our lives for seriously. They left all the
His sake? When Jesus comforts of life at home
said, “Whoever loses his and endured unbelievable
life for My sake will save it” hardships to take the gospel
15

to foreign countries. because of their witness
The same goes for many for Christ.
today—and not just foreign Church history tells us
missionaries. Whether they that all the apostles except
are translating the Bible, John were executed, and at
working on an assembly line, times during the first few
programming computers, centuries Christians were
or caring for children,
they can be courageous
representatives of the Lord. “Loving God—
How have believers really loving Him—
been persecuted? The means living out
writer of Hebrews, referring
to godly people of the Old His commands
Testament era, said they no matter what
endured “mockings and the cost.”
scourgings,” “chains and
Charles Colson
imprisonments.” “They
were stoned, . . . sawn in
two, . . . slain with the hunted like wild animals,
sword. They wandered put to death by being thrown
about in sheepskins and before hungry lions and by
goatskins, being destitute, being burned like torches. In
afflicted, tormented” (Heb. the centuries that followed,
11:36-37). During the early millions have suffered and
years of the church, Stephen died as martyrs for Christ.
was persecuted and stoned Many people in recent
(Acts 6–7), the apostle James history have suffered for
was killed with the sword their faith in prison camps
(Acts 12), and the apostles or psychiatric institutions.
were continually harassed Even in democracies, devout
16

Christians are often made their antagonism by
the objects of ridicule and misrepresenting what
unfair treatment. Christians believe, ridiculing
Should we expect them, or going out of their
persecution today? way to offend them.
On the night before His How can we avoid
crucifixion, Jesus warned His needless persecution?
disciples, “If they persecuted While the Bible tells us to
Me, they will also persecute expect persecution and
you” (Jn. 15:20). To Timothy, teaches us that such trials
Paul wrote, “All who desire can be a means of building
to live godly in Christ Jesus character (Rom. 5:1-5; Jas.
will suffer persecution” 1:1-8), it never encourages
(2 Tim. 3:12). us to seek trouble. On the
We who believe on Jesus contrary, it urges us to be
Christ and want to please good citizens and to go out
Him will experience some of our way to please our
opposition from people who employers (Rom. 13:1-7;
don’t want to follow God’s 1 Pet. 2:11-25). Paul said
ways. Whether it be at the we should pray “for kings
workplace, at school, in the and all who are in authority,
neighborhood, or even at that we may lead a quiet and
home, when we choose to peaceable life in all godliness
do and say what would and reverence” (1 Tim. 2:2).
please Christ, we will find We are to live at peace with
some resistance. People others—to the extent that
who live only for their own we can do so without
pleasures feel rebuked by compromise (Rom. 12:18).
the lifestyle and teaching of Peaceful conditions,
those who are trying to live however, present us with a
out their faith. They express different kind of challenge.
17

We can easily succumb to LOYALTY
the temptation to be earthly
minded, to live for the
things of this world. If we
do, then we are the losers.
But if we focus on the
eternal while enjoying the
present, we will enrich
ourselves and others. In
many ways this is a greater
challenge than enduring
opposition. And through
His Spirit we can be When speaking to a large
heavenly minded while crowd, Jesus said, “If anyone
enjoying life on earth. comes to Me and does not
Thinking It Over. hate his father and mother,
Has your devotion to wife and children, brothers
Christ caused you to seem and sisters, yes, and his own
“strange” to your friends, life also, he cannot be My
co-workers, neighbors, disciple” (Lk. 14:26). Jesus
family? Have nonbelievers told the Twelve, “He who
always responded positively loves father or mother more
when you talked to them than Me is not worthy of
about your faith? Are you Me. And he who loves son
willing to let people know or daughter more than
that you are a follower Me is not worthy of Me”
of Christ? What happens (Mt. 10:37).
when you refuse to What kind of loyalty
participate with your friends does Christ require?
in an activity that you know A person who enlists in the
would displease the Lord? U.S. Marine Corps lives by
18

the Corps motto Semper self-serving personal goals.
Fidelis, which means That sounds radical,
“Always Faithful.” He is to doesn’t it? Christ even
D EFINING O UR T ERMS used the strong word hate
Loyalty: Faithful allegiance to a to describe the attitude we
person or cause. Followers of should have toward all
Christ are to pledge absolute others, even family. He put
allegiance to the Lord and His the matter in such strong
purposes.
terms because He takes
remain absolutely loyal loyalty and disloyalty so
to his commanders, seriously.
and ultimately, to the
Commander-in-Chief,
the President of the United “Resolved:
States. A U.S. Marine To follow God
pledges his allegiance—even with all my heart.
unto death—for the cause of
his country. He is not to Resolved also:
take orders from enemy Whether others
leadership, nor is he to quit do or not, I will.”
partway through a military Jonathan Edwards
mission. He is committed to
be “always faithful.”
Semper Fidelis would How can family and
also be an appropriate friends challenge our
motto for followers of loyalty? To answer that,
Christ. He asks us to put let’s consider the life of
our allegiance to Him above William Carey (1761–1834).
any other relationship. This When 31-year-old Carey
applies to any people, any told his wife that he felt God
material goods, and any wanted him to go to India
19

as a missionary, at first she 14:26). He showed a
didn’t want to go. That was tender love for his wife,
understandable since they his children, his parents.
had three small children He didn’t hate them. This is
and a fourth on the way. true if we define hatred as
Her tears deeply moved her a feeling of malice, which
sensitive husband. After desires harm or hurt for
talking about it, they agreed someone. But in the Bible
that they would go, but not it is used to denote taking
all at once. Their 8-year-old action that prefers one
son would go with him and person over another. So, we
a year or two later she and can say of William Carey
the younger children would that he loved the Lord so
join him. much that in his actions he
When Carey’s father appeared to hate his family.
learned of the plan, he Perhaps you or someone
exclaimed, “Is William you know has had to face
mad?” Then he did all he rejection from family
could to discourage him members because of a
from going. Carey, however, decision to accept Christ
believed that God wanted as Savior. Sometimes a
him to go to India. He was profession of faith in Christ
determined to please God leads to being shunned by
even though it meant the rest of the family.
strained relationships with Maybe those you love
the people closest to his don’t like a decision you
heart. made to do what is right,
How was Carey obedient to be honest, or to be
to the words of Jesus to committed to purity. Maybe
“hate his father and mother, they were pressuring you to
wife and children”? (Lk. tell a lie, break a law, or
20

reject biblical principles. In attitudes and actions is to
such cases, the choices are unwittingly give allegiance
painful and heartwrenching. to Satan (3:8; 5:19).
We long for closeness with
family members. But if we
have to make a choice, our
“Choose for
allegiance must go to Christ. yourselves this
What else day whom you will
competes for our
loyalty? In addition serve . . . . But as
to the tension that can be for me and my
produced in a family by house, we will
conflict over allegiance to
Christ, many other people
serve the Lord.”
and activities assume the Joshua (Josh. 24:15)
place in our lives that only
Christ deserves. Just before the Old
The apostle Paul warned Testament leader Joshua
the believers in Rome, “Do died, he challenged the
not be conformed to this people of the new nation of
world, but be transformed Israel to affirm their loyalty
by the renewing of your to the Lord. He said,
mind, that you may prove “Choose for yourselves this
what is that good and day whom you will serve,
acceptable and perfect will whether the gods which
of God” (Rom. 12:2). John your fathers served that
also told us to beware the were on the other side of
lure of the world (1 Jn. the River, or the gods of the
2:15-16). To allow an Amorites, in whose land
ungodly culture—instead you dwell. But as for me
of Christ—to shape our and my house, we will
21

serve the Lord” (Josh. putting loyalty to Christ
24:15). ahead of loyalty to our self-
Jesus spoke about centered ways of thinking
something that can pull our and living.
loyalty away from Christ— Self-centered devotion
money. That’s something we to our own selfish interests
all have to deal with. He is really the heart of sin.
said, “No one can serve two Adam and Eve were the first
masters; for either he will traitors to God’s cause, and
hate the one and love the ever since then all people
other, or else he will be loyal have tended to put loyalty
to the one and despise the to self above loyalty to
other. You cannot serve God. Romans 3 reminds
God and mammon [money]” us, “There is none who
(Mt. 6:24). And Paul warned understands; there is none
that “the love of money is a who seeks after God. . . .
root of all kinds of evil, for There is no fear of God
which some have strayed before their eyes” (vv.11,18).
from the faith in their Decisions of loyalty
greediness” (1 Tim. 6:10). involve the factor of risk
How is self- also. Noah, for example,
centeredness a type chose to live for God instead
of loyalty? In the of following the ways of the
previous section, we saw people around him (Gen.
how the command to deny 7–8; Heb. 11:7). Moses
self (Lk. 9:23) applies to our chose to be loyal to God
boldness in risking our lives and His people rather than
and reputations for the sake to enjoy the benefits of living
of Christ. In this section, we as part of Pharaoh’s royal
can apply the command to family (Heb. 11:24-27).
deny self to the matter of Daniel and his three friends
22

chose to be considered your level of devotion to
traitors to the king rather the Lord? What pressures to
than compromise their compromise have you felt
devotion to the Lord (Dan. at home or at work? Where
1:8; 3:1-28; 6:1-23). Rahab is your treasure? (Mt. 6:21).
shifted her loyalty to the Do your standards of
God of Israel when the Jews behavior reflect God’s
were about to attack Jericho purity, or are you being
(Josh. 2:1-21; Heb. 11:31). shaped by the world?
Yes, God wants you to
love your spouse, your IMITATION
children, your parents (Eph.
5:25,28; Ti. 2:4). He wants
you to show respect for
your government. He
wants you to love yourself
because self-love is the
standard by which you
must measure your love for
your neighbor (Mt. 22:39;
Lk. 10:27). But your love for
God is to be so strong that
you put obedience to Him Jesus said to His disciples,
above your own desires and “You call me Teacher and
the desires of your family, Lord, and you say well, for
your friends, your employer, so I am. If I then, your Lord
and your community. and Teacher, have washed
Thinking It Over. your feet, you also ought
How does your use of time to wash one another’s feet.
reveal your loyalties? How For I have given you an
do your thoughts reflect example, that you should
23

do as I have done to you” walking, and relating to
(Jn. 13:13-15). On another people. Through what the
occasion, Jesus urged parents do and say, the
His disciples, “Follow Me” children learn how to
(Lk. 9:23). respond to the many
The apostle John wrote, circumstances of life. If
“He who says he abides in Dad comes home and kicks
Him ought himself also to the dog, his child may think
walk just as He walked” that’s acceptable behavior
(1 Jn. 2:6). In a letter to and do the same. And if
the Corinthians, Paul wrote, Dad is careful to be
“Imitate me, just as I also absolutely honest in all
imitate Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). his conversations and
D EFINING O UR T ERMS dealings, then the child
Imitation: A copy, model, or often will pick that up too.
replica. As believers, we are to As children of God
follow the example of Christ, through faith in Christ, we
becoming more and more like are to imitate Christ. We
Him in attitude and action.
are to learn what it means
What does it mean to obey God by living as
to imitate Christ? To Jesus lived. If we are living
imitate someone is to copy in dependence on Him,
his or her actions as spending time with Him in
closely as possible. It prayer and learning about
is to model our lives Him in the Bible, we will
after the characteristics want to imitate His way
of someone we look up to. of life.
Children imitate their Much of what we have
parents. Consciously or not, said up to this point in the
they pick up from Mom and booklet could be applied to
Dad a way of speaking, this matter of imitating
24

Christ. So let’s first note time to talk with His Father
how we are to be like Him and receive direction for
in the three areas we have His ministry.
already discussed, then we The author of Hebrews
will suggest additional ways told us that Jesus learned
that we are to model our obedience through suffering
lives after His. (5:8). He responded to
How did Jesus show temptation and persecution
dependence on the in the right way because He
Father? Even though was relying on the Father.
Jesus is God the Son,
during His time on earth
He voluntarily gave up the “Christlikeness—
independent use of His
divine abilities in order to
spiritual maturity—
identify with us (Phil. 2:5- is obedience.”
11). He lived in dependence Jerry White
on the Father and the Holy
Spirit. Jesus said, “The Son
can do nothing of Himself, How did Jesus put
but what He sees the Father Himself at risk? The
do . . . . I can of Myself do most obvious answer is
nothing. As I hear, I judge; that He was willing to
and My judgment is suffer the ultimate agony of
righteous, because I do enduring the penalty for our
not seek My own will but sin on the cross. He gave
the will of the Father who His very life to do what the
sent Me” (Jn. 5:19,30). Father wanted Him to do.
Christ lived in constant Peter wrote, “Christ also
fellowship with the Father. suffered for us, leaving
He prayed often, taking us an example, that you
25

should follow His steps” gathered around Jesus.
(1 Pet. 2:21). Enemies were accusing Him
In many other ways of being a partner of Satan
throughout His earthly because He was casting out
life, Jesus took the abuse demons (Mk. 3:20-30).
of people who did not Jesus’ family said, “He is out
appreciate what He had of His mind” (v.21). When
to say. He confronted the the message reached Jesus
hypocritical religious leaders, that His family wanted to
condemned the unbelieving, talk with Him, He looked at
spent time with the outcasts the people around Him and
of society in order to bring said, “Here are My mother
them salvation, and did what and My brothers! For
was right no matter what whoever does the will of
anyone else said. God is My brother and My
How did Jesus sister and mother” (vv.34-
show His loyalty to 35). His loyalty to the Father
the Father? During and His followers took
Christ’s temptation in the priority over even His family.
wilderness, Satan said he In addition to imitating
would give all the nations Jesus’ example of
to Jesus if He would dependence, risk, and
worship him (Mt. 4:8-9). loyalty, we can find other
Jesus, however, expressed ways that we can follow
His loyal devotion to the Him. These ways include
Father by saying, “It is how He served others,
written, ‘You shall worship how He responded to
the Lord your God, and Him needy people, how He
only you shall serve’” (v.10). forgave, how He resisted
On another occasion, a temptation, and how He
huge crowd of people had handled possessions.
26

How did Christ Himself and became
serve others? Jesus obedient to the point of
described His life this way: death” (v.8).
“The Son of Man did not In Paul’s correspondence
come to be served, but to with the Corinthians, he
serve, and to give His life wrote, “Imitate me, just as
a ransom for many” I also imitate Christ” (1 Cor.
(Mt. 20:28). 11:1). Paul wanted them to
imitate the self-sacrificing
attitude of Christ, especially
“He who says he because it will help people
abides in [Christ] find salvation (10:33).
Jesus demonstrated
ought himself also humble service in a
to walk just as dramatic way when He
He walked.” washed His disciples’ feet
1 John 2:6 (Jn. 13). He said, “If I then,
your Lord and Teacher,
have washed your feet,
The apostle Paul pointed you also ought to wash one
to the life of Christ as our another’s feet. For I have
example when he was given you an example, that
urging the Philippians to you should do as I have
serve one another in love. done to you” (vv.14-15).
He told them not to be self- We are to imitate His
centered but to look out for humility and be willing
the interests of others (2:3- to put aside our “rights”
4). He encouraged them to in order to help others.
adopt the same attitude as This loving service for
Christ, who took the role of people is directly tied to our
a servant and “humbled love for God. Jesus said, “By
27

this all will know that you compassion when He saw
are My disciples, if you the many people who were
have love for one another” so spiritually needy, and He
(Jn. 13:35). John wrote, longed for more workers
“This is His commandment: who would spread the
that we should believe news that could bring them
on the name of His Son salvation (9:36-38). He fed
Jesus Christ and love one thousands of people who
another, as He gave us were hungry (15:32-39). He
commandment” (1 Jn. 3:23). graciously gave salvation to
In fact, Christlike a repentant thief who was
love summarizes all the dying on a cross next to
commands that God wants Him (Lk. 23:39-43). Even
us to obey. When talking while Jesus was on the
to a religious teacher, cross, He arranged for His
Jesus said that all the mother’s care (Jn. 19:25-
commandments could be 27). He was patient with
reduced to two: Love God doubting Thomas (20:24-
with all your heart, soul, 29). He gently reassured
and mind, and love Peter of His love and
people as yourselves encouraged him to remain
(Mt. 22:34-40). faithful, even after he had
How did Christ denied the Lord (21:15-23).
respond to needy How did Christ
people? Jesus treated forgive? In a letter to the
them with love and Ephesians, Paul told us,
compassion. He helped the “Be kind to one another,
sick and welcomed social tenderhearted, forgiving
outcasts like “tax collectors one another, even as
and sinners” (Mt. 9:10). He God in Christ forgave you.
was moved with great Therefore be imitators of
28

God as dear children. And How did Christ
walk in love, as Christ also resist temptation?
has loved us and given During His time in the
Himself for us” (4:32–5:2). wilderness before He began
His public ministry, Jesus
faced intense temptation
“Imitate me, (Mt. 4:1-11). Satan tried to
just as I also get Jesus to satisfy His
imitate Christ.” hunger by making stones
turn into bread. The devil
Paul (1 Cor. 11:1)
attempted to get Jesus to
test the Father’s care for
We may not always find Him by jumping off a tall
it easy to imitate Jesus by building. And Satan
forgiving others who have promised a shortcut to rule
hurt us deeply. But we will over the kingdoms of earth
experience the joy of if Jesus would worship him.
forgiveness and the In each case, however,
sweetness of fellowship Jesus responded with the
with God to the extent that truth and power of God’s
we forgive those who have Word. The writer of Psalm
wronged us (Mt. 6:14-15). 119 said, “Your Word I
Just think of all God have hidden in my heart,
has forgiven you. Then, that I might not sin against
realizing that no one has You” (v.11). The apostle
wronged you nearly as Paul referred to the Word
much as you have sinned of God as the “sword of the
against Him, start praying Spirit,” which we are to use
for those who have wronged in our warfare with Satan’s
you and be willing to forces (Eph. 6:17). That is
forgive them. part of God’s provision to
29

help us escape even the save all you can, give all
most powerful temptation you can.” By standards of
(1 Cor. 10:13). his day he earned a great
How did Christ deal of money, but when
view possessions? To he died a few months short
a rich young ruler who of his 88th birthday he left
asked what he had to do to almost nothing. He had
receive everlasting life, and practiced what he preached.
who claimed that he had
been a good, law-keeping
person, Jesus said, “One “Earn all you can,
thing you lack: Go your
way, sell whatever you have
save all you can,
and give to the poor, and give all you can.”
you will have treasure in John Wesley
heaven” (Mk. 10:21). To
His disciples Jesus declared,
“Sell what you have and Does the Lord demand
give alms; provide from all His followers,
yourselves money bags as He did with the rich
which do not grow old, a young ruler, that they
treasure in the heavens that sell everything they have
does not fail” (Lk. 12:33). and give it to the poor?
John Wesley, the founder Apparently not. His friends,
of Methodism (1703–1791), Lazarus, Mary, and Martha,
took these Scripture continued to live in their
passages so seriously that Bethany home. As we read
he lived frugally and gave the book of Acts and the
away his income as fast as Epistles, we do not find
he received it. His slogan the apostles making this
was, “Earn all you can, demand.
30

The Lord wants us to that will not be complete
enjoy the good things He until we see Him.
gives us, but He reminds
us that we are to share
what we have with others, “Our relationship
with an eye toward reaping
in eternity. We are to realize
to our heavenly
that money and possessions Father, though
are temporary, and that secure, is not
we should be much more
concerned about investing
static. He wants
in heavenly treasures His children to
(Mt. 6:19-21). grow up to know
These are just a few
ways we can imitate Christ.
Him more and
As we spend time reading more intimately.”
the Gospels, we will John R. W. Stott
discover many other ways
that we can become like
Him in our responses to If that truly is your
various people and to goal, how do you need
different kinds of situations. to rearrange the priorities
Thinking It Over. of your daily life? In what
Our goal as followers ways are you following
of Jesus Christ is to know Christ’s example? In what
Him better and become as areas of life have you been
much like Him in this life going your own way?
as is humanly possible.
That won’t happen
overnight. It is a process
of growing and maturing
31

ENCORE! our dependence on Him,
our willingness to take risks

A
t the close of a for His sake, our loyalty to
stirring musical Him, and by our desire to be
performance, an like Him? Would He like an
audience may cry, “Encore! encore?
Encore!” That’s the crowd’s At the end of our life’s
way of telling musicians day, when we stand before
that they like what they’ve Christ, the greatest words
heard, and they want to we could ever hear will be
hear more. these: “Well done, good and
At the end of the day, faithful servant” (Mt. 25:23).
after we have finished our
work, eaten our meals,
responded to all sorts of “Well done, good
situations, and related to and faithful
all types of people, can we servant.”
imagine Jesus saying,
Matthew 25:23
“Encore! Encore!” to us?
Would He want a repeat
performance tomorrow? His highest praise will go to
This is not to suggest that those who by faith accepted
He expects us to be perfect His gift of salvation and
today and every other day. who continued to depend
He understands that we on Him.
sometimes fail, that we need Jesus is the Conductor
to work continually on our of our lives. If we follow
lives, that we are involved in His lead, the “music” we
a process of growth. But produce will receive His
would He be pleased by the “Encore!” now and a
progress we are making in “Well done!” later.
32

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