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Why Do You Follow Jesus Christ?

by Olawale Ogunsola  
9/05/2015 / Christian Living

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28. NKJV.

After a hard labor, there is a need for rest. It is a common saying among retirees that "Rest is sweet after labor." This is true in every sense. That is why Jesus implores everyone who labor and carry heavy burden to come to Him for their desired or deserved rest.

Only Jesus offers true rest. Do you want rest? Come to Jesus!

The next and most important thing is to follow Jesus; to be in a safe hand where He can safely keep you to enjoy His rest.

Following Jesus Christ has tremendous values.

Now, have you at any time in your life ask yourself, "Why am I following Jesus?" This is because people follow Jesus for different reasons.

A man in the Holy Bible, for example, went to the Lord Jesus and said to Him,
"Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go." Matthew 8:19.

As a good Teacher who was looking for followers, what do you expect Jesus to do? What would you do if you were in His shoes? He ought to embrace this volunteer who wanted to follow Him and add him to the list of His disciples.

The contrary was the case because the Lord knew the contents of his heart. He knew his heart was not right within him.

As a good Teacher, Christ replied him,
"Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." Matthew 8:20.

Why did all.knowing Jesus make reference to "foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests"? He asserted that He had "nowhere to lay His head". Why was this emphasis on accommodation? Why did He not say He had no food, clothing or car but where to lay His head?

The voluntary follower must have been someone who love comfort too much. His thoughts may have tilted towards following Jesus for the purpose of becoming an estate owner or someone close to that.

He was addicted to worldliness without repentance.

A close examination of their conversation shows that the man said nothing again; but Jesus called another person with a heart of flesh who wanted to bury his father. He said,
"Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead." Matthew 8:22.

This man immediately obeyed.

Who knows? The voluntary follower may have "contaminated" other disciples to obstruct Christ's ministry. Jesus knew his heart, so he refused him.

My beloved reader, that was a man! Now, ask yourself this very important question, "Why am I following Jesus Christ?"

There are various reasons people follow Jesus today. Like the man mentioned earlier, people follow Him because He is the Provider. Yes, He is! This group of people believe that if they follow Jesus, they will own many properties and live in comfort. Do you know what? Such people will not hesitate to do anything to acquire lands and houses by honest and dishonest means.

The spread of the gospel is never their concern or priority , they pull other followers to join them. They destabilize the church of the Living God. Salvation means nothing to them.

They have no provisions for eternal life for themselves or others who have not known the Lord. There are other groups who follow the Lord for other reasons. For instance, Apostle Judas Ischariot followed Him so he could steal from the Ministry's purse because he was the keeper (John 12:6).

A brother who had a wrong motive for following Jesus once asserted,
"If I work (follow) for the Lord for ten years and does not provide me a car, I will stop His work (following Him)."

Do you know the funny part of his story? He had been married for many years without a child in a community where a leper is better than someone who is childless. Bearing a child was not important to him.

In your own case, what is that thing that can prevent you from following Jesus?

Why do you follow Jesus?

I love Peter's reply after a group of disciples stopped following the Master. Jesus turned to the twelve and asked them if they were also going back, Apostle Peter answered,
"Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God."John 6:68-69.NKJV.

Today is the day of repentance if you follow the Lord for wrong reasons. Be closer to the Holy Bible and know whom you have believed.
Stay blessed and rapturable because the Lord is coming soon.
Note.
NKJV is New King James Version of the Scriptures.

The Author is the set man of CTFM(WORLD OUTREACH)and Presiding Pastor of Christ Restland Gospel Church.He is a Poet and author of many books. Visit his blogsites www.4thlink.wordpress.com and www.peacelink.wordpress.com for more quality contents.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

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