What does it mean to follow Christ?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible teaches that any follower of Christ must prioritize Him above anything and anyone. The gospels recount how ready Jesus’ disciples were to follow Him (Matthew 4:18-22; 8:22; 9:9; 10:2-4; Luke 9:23; John 1:43). According to the gospel of Matthew, Simon and Andrew “immediately . . . left their nets” to follow Jesus (4:20). The Bible teaches that followers of Christ must put Him as the priority in their life—above material comfort and, if need be, even loved ones (Luke 14:25-33). Jesus also cautioned His followers to be prepared for persecution (Matthew 5:10, 44; 10:17–18; Mark 8:34-35; John 15:18), which occurred for many in the early church, such as Paul (2 Timothy 3:12; Acts 14:19; 2 Corinthians 11:24-25). Christians must also realize that to truly be followers of Christ we must be in the world but not of the world (Matthew 10:39; John 17:15-18; Philippians 3:20–21).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Though centuries before Christ, Moses is an example of someone who gave up material comfort and prestige to follow God’s call (Exodus 2:10; Exodus 3; cf. Hebrews 11:24-26). Similarly, those who follow Christ must be ready and willing to give up everything the world offers for Jesus.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Jesus called people to follow Him, many of whom became His disciples (Matthew 4:18-22; 8:22; 9:9; 10:2-4; Luke 9:23; John 1:43).
• Jesus said that when we follow Him, we will experience persecution for His sake (Matthew 5:10, 44; 10:17–18; Mark 8:34-35; John 15:18).
• Paul reaffirmed this in his letter to Timothy: "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12).
• Jesus noted that His followers must prioritize Him: "'If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:26). He concluded this passage by saying "'therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple'" (Luke 14:25-33). This doesn’t mean we cannot love or care for our families, but that we have to value Christ more than we value anything or anyone else.
• In following Christ, we understand that this world is not ultimately our home, so we are willing to give our all to Him, knowing that true life is found only in Jesus (Matthew 10:39; John 17:15-18; Philippians 3:20–21).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

“How many followers do you have?” In the age of social media, that question matters to egos and even to bank accounts. More followers means that people value your content, which can translate into more subscribers and more money.

But Jesus’ followers didn’t anticipate any monetary gain and, in fact, were told to expect persecution and suffering. And they got it, as the New Testament attests. Persecution of Christians didn’t end with the early church, though. Christians in many parts of the world today still face mistreatment and oppression. In western societies, this may be the soft affliction of cultural disdain for and legal resistance to Christian teachings. In places like North Korea and parts of Africa and Asia, though, Christians may be imprisoned or even killed for their beliefs.

Considering all this, why follow Christ? Because in Him, we have a relationship with the living God, our Creator. In Christ, we can expect to “have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10) as we find purpose in what would otherwise be a meaningless existence. In Him, we find strength to carry on no matter what the world throws at us (Philippians 4:13). And in Christ, we “lay up treasures in heaven,” treasures that cannot be corrupted or destroyed as those on earth are (Matthew 6:20).

UNDERSTAND

• Following Christ means putting Him above everything, including family and comfort, and accepting persecution.
• Followers of Christ should see themselves as citizens of heaven.
• Despite hardships, Christ gives strength, purpose, and the promise of eternal life.

REFLECT

• How are you currently prioritizing Christ above your family, possessions, or comfort in your daily life?
• When faced with opposition or difficulty for your faith, how do you rely on Christ’s strength to keep following Him?
• In what ways do you live as a citizen of heaven while still navigating life in this world?

ENGAGE

• How do you think Jesus’ call to follow Him above all else is countercultural?
• What practical steps can we take to live “in the world but not of the world” today?
• How does anticipating eternal treasure change the way we handle persecution or suffering for our faith?