Are You Worth “Following”?
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6, ESV).
How did you find this post? Maybe through Instagram? Facebook? The O’ Theophilus website? Whichever way you got here, you likely “followed” O’ Theophilus or at least found and followed a link to this post. We live in a digital world that encourages us to “follow” social influencers, informative pages, and trendy movements. While there is nothing inherently wrong with following pages or people on social media, we are being conditioned to think with a “follow” mindset. By being on a social media platform, we regularly participate in “following” other users and amassing “followers” who engage with what we have to say. Have you ever realized the implications of this “follow” mentality?
As Christians, we have a responsibility to live righteously and present the right things through our lives and teaching to others. However, in a world of “following” and gaining followers, we must not elevate ourselves to the place of Jesus in our own minds for the watching world. We should not view ourselves as leaders who will bring true satisfaction. Jesus is the only one worth “following” as we know that the only way to the Father is through Him (John 14:6).
Undoubtedly, we have been given the responsibility to share the good news of Jesus and make disciples (Matt. 28:19-20). We also have a responsibility to “set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” as Timothy did for the Ephesians church (1 Timothy 4:12b). However, as we seek to set an example and disciple others, we cannot fall into the trap of building ourselves up as false Messiahs. A watching world will be sorely disappointed in us if we try to be their Messiahs. We are sinners and we miss the mark of God’s glory (Rom. 3:23). On the other hand, Christ can meet the needs of all who come to Him. Jesus says, “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). The world, along with us, will only find ultimate satisfaction in the leadership of Jesus. Instead of trying to take Jesus’ place, we must point others to the only One worth following.
“Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me” (Matt. 16:24).