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What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus? To become and continually become more like Jesus in our everyday life.
Paul writes to the church and tells us that we are to live like Jesus in our everyday lives, not just on Sundays. In Ephesians 4: 28-29, Paul shows us what it means to follow Jesus:
“If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
Following Jesus means:
- Change our lifestyle! “If you are a thief, stop your stealing.” When Jesus comes into our lives, He changes our way of living in the world. If you are a criminal, stop committing crimes. If you are stealing, stop it! If you are deceiving the system, stop it. If you are doing something illegal, change your ways!
- Get a job! Use your hands for good hard work! Work is not a bad thing; in fact, work is good for us spiritually, emotionally, and physically. It is good to teach our children a work ethic. Work gives us a sense of accomplishing something with our lives.
- Give generously to others! If God blesses us, He blesses us so that we can bless others.
- Stop speaking foul or abusive language! That means we need the Holy Spirit to change our hearts and tongues! The power of the tongue can bring life or death.
- Start speaking things that are good and helpful to other people! Start this in our marriage, at home, with our friends, in church, and with people who do not know Jesus. “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Whatever is in us is what is going to come out of us!
- Encourage others! Give help and hope to others by the words that we speak over them! I grew up hearing these words: “If you have nothing good to say, say nothing.”
If we are going to be a follower of Jesus, then we need to see the real change that Jesus can bring to how we live in everyday life!
Lord, help me live these principles out in my life today as I follow You!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Pastor Ronald Squibb has been the International Christian Church (ICC) Lead Senior Pastor at Staten Island, New York, since 2011. He draws many experiences from his over 40 years as a pastor and significant emotional life experiences.
His new book, Following the Journey with Jesus, which he co-authored with Daniel McNaughton, was recently published and is getting rave reviews. His daily devotional appears in this publication.
