Strength and Courage to Follow

Thank you for joining me for our study today. Our topic is a vital one. Following Jesus is an absolutely necessary requirement we have from the Word of God. It is not always easy. In fact, it is hard. Let’s delve into His Word, prepared to receive revelation from Him today! Eric

Seventy-eight times, the word ‘follow’ was used in the Gospels. Seventy-seven of those times, the word ‘follow’ was used in reference to following Christ. Jesus often admonished His disciples to ‘follow’ Him.

I have heard it said that people simply use Christianity as a crutch and that being a follower of Christ is a sign of weakness. I suppose this is said because of the example of peace and love Christ presented for His disciples, past and present, to pursue.

In all honesty though, if they would diligently search the truth concerning following Christ, they would find that it takes great strength and courage to follow Him!

Why do I say that? Those who follow Christ are seekers of truth, and truth has an enemy, who will do everything in his power to defeat, destroy, and crush it.

When the Jewish leaders in Judea were looking for a way to kill Jesus, He had His disciples go to Judea for the Festival of Tabernacles. At the half way mark, Jesus arrived at the Festival and was teaching in the temple, where the Jews who had been searching for Him were questioning Him. In John 8:43-45 (ESV) Jesus spoke to those who were in the temple, “Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.” They could not accept or receive what Jesus was telling them because they could not discern or recognize the truth He was presenting. In verse 44, Jesus plainly described the enemy of God and the truth regarding him - “Your father, the devil, a murderer from the beginning, does not stand in the truth, there is no truth in him and he is the father of lies.”

We are instructed in Ephesians 6:11 to put on the whole armor of God to be able to stand against the schemes of the devil, (Jesus’s and our enemy).

We receive a solemn warning of the devil’s ploys and plans when we read 2 Thessalonians 2:9 and 10 (NIV), “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” “Satan will empower the ‘lawless one’ (the anti-Christ) to produce compelling but deceptive signs and lying wonders. (Not every miracle comes from God, nor are such wonders any less miraculous because of their origin.” (Exodus 7:11-Textual notes, NSFLB). Believers, we must be able to recognize this truth so we can not be deceived by the enemy!

Matthew 24:24 (ESV) reveals, “For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” This is why it is vitally important that we come to the saving knowledge of Christ and follow Him. He is Truth and as we follow Him we will know the truth and the truth will set us free! (John 8:32). In fact Jesus told the disciples that the world cannot receive the Spirit of truth because it doesn’t see him or know him. Believers know Him because he dwells with us and will be in us. (John 14:17). You see, Jesus was well aware of what His followers would encounter and knew that following Him would not be easy, although absolutely necessary.

We see that Jesus spoke to the people in John 8:12 (NIV), “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." ‘Follow,’ akoloutheo, means: to accompany, be in the same way with, follow one who precedes, and being in the same roadway with someone. “In the New Testament, it is often used in the context of discipleship, where it signifies following Jesus both physically and spiritually. It implies a commitment to adhere to the teachings and lifestyle of Jesus, often involving sacrifices and a change of direction in life.” (Bible Hub, Study Bible).

When we become a believer by accepting Jesus as our Savior, we indeed become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) and as we follow Him, our life’s attitudes, thoughts, behavior and direction do change. Shortly after my wife became a believer at the age of 13. Her older sister by 6 years approached her and said, “You have changed. You are different.”

Looking again at verse 12 of John 8, “Jesus promises that those who follow Him will be delivered from this spiritual darkness, indicating a transformative relationship that leads to moral and spiritual clarity.”(Bible Hub, Study Bible). Also, when Jesus disclosed that He is the ‘light’ of the world, with His presence in us as ‘light’ - He reveals truth, guides us, and dispels spiritual darkness. ‘Light,’ phos, literally means gives light. Metaphorically, phos is used to describe spiritual illumination, truth, and the divine presence of God. ‘Light’ then, is the revelation of God’s truth to humanity! What a gift! God Almighty gives us revelation!

“In the New Testament, ‘light’ is also used especially of spiritual light and enlightenment, in contrast to spiritual darkness.” (Word Wealth, NSFLB). When we comprehend that God is light, we can fully understand that the world is in darkness apart from Him.

‘Darkness’ scotia, means: gloom, evil, sin, obscurity, night, ignorance and moral depravity. Metaphorically in the New Testament it means: ignorance of divine truth, man’s sinful nature, total absence of light and a lack of spiritual perception. Scotia, as spiritual darkness, is everything earthly or demonic which is at enmity with God! (Strong’s).

Wow! Thank God that Jesus said, “Whoever follows Me will never ‘walk’ (to live, tread all around) in the ‘darkness’ (spiritual darkness, Strong’s). Then, He added, “but will have the light of life.” (The source of ‘light,’ symbolizes God’s presence and truth). ‘Life’ means (both physical (present) and spiritual (future) existence.

1 Peter 2:20b and 21 (NIV) reads, “But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” 'Epaholoutheo, the Greek word translated ‘follow’ in verse 21 means: to follow, chase after, imitate, pursue and intentional pursuit of. Christ left us an ‘example’, an example to be followed. His example enables us to endure when we suffer for our faith.

Ephesians 5:1,2 and 8-12 (NLT), “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. ... 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. 10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret.” In verse one, we are instructed to ‘imitate God.’ We are to make a commitment to the teachings and life-style of Jesus. We are to follow His manner of life. We are to follow the example of Christ in living a life of love. ‘Love’ agape, is the Greek word which is used in describing the sacrificial unconditional love of God.

The word ‘darkness’ used in the phrase ‘you were full of darkness’ in verse 8 was translated from the Greek word skotos. We gain this insight from Word Wealth (NSFLB): (From the root word, ska, to cover), “The word is used literally for physical darkness and metaphorically for spiritual, moral and intellectual darkness. The darkness arises from error, ignorance, disobedience, willful blindness and rebellion. Darkness is an evil system absolutely opposed to light.” Verse 8 emphatically stated that before Christ - we were full of darkness. There was no light in us!

So, in order for us to ‘imitate or follow’ Him, there needs be no darkness in us. We have to grow it that ‘new creation His coming paved the way for us to be! We have to choose daily to walk in His light and totally abandon the darkness that filled our life prior to accepting Him. Verse 5 of Ephesians 5 (NIV) reveals, “For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a person is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”

How important is our decision to ‘follow Christ?’ We are told that our love for our family should seem to be hate in comparison to our love for Him. (Matthew 16:24-27). We cannot put our love for our family above our love for God.

When you are asked to leave your family, your desire for wealth and your comfort, it can be hard. To that, add the realization that you face the same enemies Christ faced, will endure afflictions, trials and tribulations - it can definitely be hard to choose to live totally for Him.

This is why it takes strength and courage to follow Him. We daily face and contend against the tempter, the temptation and the flesh to draw us back to allowing our old sin nature (the darkness) and the world to be in charge of the decisions or choices we make.

Part of the example of Christ which we are to follow is His being the ‘light of life.’ We need to be an example of light to the world around us - just as Jesus was!

Here is the great news!

Jesus is the Word of God, was with God in the beginning and made all things. In Jesus was life which became light for all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome (seized or possessed) it! (John 1:1-5 NIV) Praise God!

In Luke 10:42, Jesus told Martha there was only one thing worth being concerned about. It was Mary’s choice of sitting at the feet of Jesus. As Mary prioritized spiritual matters over worldly concerns, Mary chose an eternal inheritance over temporary concerns. We must do the same!

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Mark 13:31).

It is God who enables us to stand firm! (2 Corinthians 1:21).

When we choose to become a believer and a follower of His, Jesus is able to keep us from stumbling and He will present us unblemished and blameless into the presence of His glory with joy unspeakable and full of glory! (Jude 1:24).

As we follow Him faithfully, we are forever delivered from darkness!

The joy of the Lord is our strength! (Nehemiah 8:10d).

With Christ, our gains are eternal! (Luke 10:42).

When we are called home, we will live in His presence and with all that He is, there, which is: love, light, joy, and peace - for eternity!

There will be no tears, no death, no sorrow, no crying and no pain! (Revelation 21:4).

He enables us and is our strength!

Hallelujah! Praise God forevermore!

ESV English Standard Version

NIV New International Version

NSFLB New Spirit Filled Life Bible

NLT New Living Translation