Follow In Faith

What does following Christ in faith look like to the believer? When I think of this answer, I think to myself how many people truly believe that Jesus is Lord and savior over their lives. Have you had that personal experience with Jesus? Or will you be one of the ones who Jesus will say depart from me because I never knew you? Matthew 7:21-23 Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. John 3:16 says that all that we need is to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and we will have eternal life. This is something that has been of debate for many believers. What does believe really mean, if you say anything else other than just belief then it adds on works to it. I would offer a different way at looking at things. Your belief generates an action if you truly believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus before he ascended gave us a series of teachings and commands. If we are his followers, then we will act on these teachings. Too often in this society we make excuses for our sins. These excuses are a form of disbelief, because how could we believe in an all-powerful God who created the universe and not fear the Lord. Often times when sitting down and speaking to those that come to us for help, it’s common to hear that they are suffering in their lifestyle but refuse to truly believe that Jesus has the power to heal them. Look at addiction for example. It’s a dark journey that is very difficult to overcome. I found myself in a dark pit of addiction during a time of loss. I doubted the existence of God and pray for God to reveal himself. I didn’t ask for healing or didn’t recognize I had a problem. It was at my darkest moment that Jesus revealed himself to me and it was at that moment my life changed radically. By having that personal experience where Jesus showed up in my life, I was willing to give up everything in my life that was not of God. I try to offer my personal testimony as an example to those going through the same struggle. It is possible, you will need to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and follow him. Earlier in the chapter of Matthew 7 verses 15-20 it says that you will know them by their fruits. While your salvation may not be based on works, you will be known by your fruits. Matthew 7:15-20 says 15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. The fruit of my belief in Jesus has brought my family and I to Mexico to be missionaries for a year to start. To go from prison cells to addiction and then to the missionary field was not something I prayed for nor imagined possible. I was healed from my addiction and demons removed from my life just by seeking and following Jesus. Like the woman who suffered from a blood disease for years, her belief told her that all she had to do was touch Jesus and she would be healed. Another example of faith was when the centurion believed Jesus had the power to heal from afar just but commanding it. Matthew 8: 5-13 5And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 8The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 11And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 13And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. So I ask you, what do you suffer with? What can Jesus heal in your life? Do you truly believe that he is the Son of God because if you do then your belief will set you free. Now that doesn’t mean that our lives are going to be perfect, most likely the opposite. We will be persecuted and go through trials, but Philippians 4:13 says I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. The key to the verse is though Christ! One final view point is often times Jesus says Go after he healed someone. Again another action after the belief. Go and sin no more. Once you have had a personal experience with the messiah, the only Son of God, his presence in our lives is to have such a profound impact on our lives that we are to be new creations. 2 Corithians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. So, I encourage you brother, or sister in Christ if you truly belief that Jesus is the Son of God, Go and be healed in Christ. Leave you old life and allow God to work in your life. Faith, being like a muscle, can be grown through exercising it. When God allows tests or calls you to do something, act on it and see how he works through you. You will be amazed, as I am, how his plans and ways are greater than mine. I’ll leave with this verse Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.