When you hear the term spiritual experience, what comes to mind? When believers share a testimony or preach, most share remarkable stories of God’s redemptive power. Their story’s subject(s) was lost, broken, and at times all but dead, but something happened. Out of a desperate state, they became willing to turn their will and live over to God. From their lips, they ask Jesus to become their Lord and Savior. What is their motivation? Aren’t most of them convicted by their sinful nature and finally concede their need for salvation? The vast majority who claim to follow Jesus seek salvation, but salvation from what? Is that the only reason we should follow Jesus is for our own self-interest?
The original twelve disciples didn’t follow Jesus in the beginning because they were looking for salvation. Jesus’s presence was so profound that when He said to them, “follow me” (Mark 1-17), they did; they got up and followed. They did not follow Him because they desired salvation; something about this Jesus character attracted them. It was the attraction, not the promotion, that moved these followers.
The external qualities of Jesus were alone enough for the original twelve to walk away from their lives and follow Jesus. Think about that for a moment; allow that to resonate with you. After three years of walking shoulder to shoulder, the transition from their external attraction to Jesus led to an internal surrender to dye to themselves. This new nature to pick up their cross and follow Jesus became their new modus operandi.
Why do you follow Jesus? For an insurance policy? Spiritual Blessings? Favor? What does your modus operandi look like concerning living out the kingdom calling on your life? The kingdom life is a way of life, not something we check a box to ensure salvation. Hopefully, by now, you have matured enough spiritually that your motivation for following Jesus is to become more like Jesus. Jesus gave up His life for you, and now Jesus asks you to give up your life for the kingdom. Are you willing to come all the way in, become fully engaged, and ready to give your entire being over for the kingdom of God? That is what discipleship looks like in the kingdom. That is what Jesus meant by, “pick up your cross and follow me“ (Matthew 16:24-26). Your life as a kingdom resident should be so attractive that people want to follow Jesus because of the example you display to the world. You want your faith to become contagious like that of Jesus.
Scripture Readings
Reflection Questions
- What did you take away from today’s reflection and scripture readings?
- What is your dominant modus operandi?
- How do you practice kingdom principles in your life?
- What does it mean to follow Jesus?
- Why did you decide to follow Jesus?
- What does it mean to pick up your cross and follow me?
Prayer¹
*Confess daily; Sin shall not have dominion over me; I am operating in the power of the word of God. I am renewed body, soul, and spirit. I am no longer living to please myself but my maker in Jesus’ name. My life and being will shine the light of the gospel to the ends of the earth in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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