What is a Christian?
Someone who believes inGod? Maybe? But even demons believe in God and shudder. (James 2:19) The simplest definition of a Christian is someone who follows Jesus. Does that mean if I believe in Jesus but I am not following him I am not a Christian?

I think yes.

Today I had a conversation with a young man who had been calling himself a Christian, but as we sat and talked he had the courage to confess that in fact he was not a Christian because he was not following Jesus. While I was disappointed he had come to that place I was encouraged by his honesty and remarked he may be closer to Jesus than he realises. There are a great many confessing Christians who have no intention of following Jesus. He is far closer to Jesus than any of
those.

What does it mean to follow Jesus?
Over the next few weeks leading into Christmas we are going to be looking at the lifestyle of Jesus and what it means to follow him. While I would hate to reduce or simplify following Jesus to a few words or a catchy slogan let me suggest a few words that will hopefully point us in the right direction.

Humility – Jesus’ entry into the world, the life he lived and the death he died all were marked by profound humility. It is humility that leads us to Christ and it is humility that keeps us following Christ. “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

Love – Jesus’ encounters, conversations, decisions and actions were all expressed in love. Love was his motivation for all he did and said. His love was not simply a feeling, but a choice to obey his Father
and remain in His love. “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” (John 15:10)

Faith – Jesus’ mode of operation was faith. “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” (Jn 5:19) To his followers He says,I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. (Jn 14:12).

Hope - When it was humanly impossible for Jesus to continuing loving, serving, and giving, he drew strength from his hope in what His Father was doing in and through him… “who for the joy set before him endured the cross.” (Heb 12:2) Isaiah reminds us, “those who hope in the lord will renew their strength.” (Is 40:31)

Jesus said to his followers, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." Mt 16:24-25
We celebrate not a baby in a manger, but a man who made a way back to God and calls us to follow him on that path. May we follow faithfully every day of our life.

Love

Phil