Become a Genuine Follower of Jesus

The early Christians had Paul and his team as examples to follow. Paul wanted them to follow Christ, but he knew that he had to set the example.

That is leadership in the kingdom of God. It is not only what leaders say, but how they live! In every sport that I played, I needed role models to follow.

Whether it was in baseball (which I was never that good!), golf, basketball or long distance running, I had individuals that I looked up to for guidance.

Last weekend I saw the world’s best golfer win the PGA championship. Scottie Scheffler won his third major title. Not only his skills are the best,

but his demeanor on the golf course makes him someone to look at for an example. We all are followers. Hopefully, we have had positive influencers in our lives.

As a follower of Jesus, I have the greatest teacher to follow. First, he wants to live my life as if he were me. The reality of Christ in us is that he is now capable of doing just that!

As we learn from him and practice what he taught us, the Spirit of God and the power God can shape our lives into “little Christs”!

The amazing truth of this is that he does it by not circumventing who we are. As a pastor and teacher, I want those in whom I influence to be themselves with Jesus Christ living in and thru them.

This reality keeps influencers in the right perspective. I do have people in my life that model what a disciple of Jesus is like. But I am not them and Jesus does not want me to be them.

He wants me to be me! Remember, becoming a genuine follower of Jesus is to let him live your life as if he were you!

Pastor Fred