What It Really Means to Follow Christ

Summary

In this reflection, the speaker challenges the common Western misconception that being a Christian is simply believing in Christ as Savior. He emphasizes that true Christianity is about active discipleship—being near Christ, learning from Him, and being transformed by His presence. The speaker stresses the importance of becoming like Christ through a constant process of spiritual formation, which includes practices like prayer, confession, and accountability. To be a Christian is not just professing faith but actively following Christ and living in alignment with His teachings, continually growing as His disciple.

Takeaways

• 😀 A Christian is not just someone who acknowledges Jesus as Savior, but someone who actively follows and draws near to Him.
• 😀 Being a disciple of Christ means sitting at His feet, learning from Him, and becoming like Him in every way.
• 😀 The church's mission is to produce saints, individuals who live in union with God, loving Him and others.
• 😀 The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost enables believers to join with Christ and become like Him, producing saints everywhere the church goes.
• 😀 The goal of Christian life is spiritual healing, becoming whole through Christ's teachings and example.
• 😀 Following Christ involves actively engaging with His teachings and imitating His way of life.
• 😀 A disciple’s life is marked by being fully trained by Christ, becoming like the teacher through consistent proximity and learning.
• 😀 The term 'Christian' is rarely used in the New Testament, with 'disciple' being the more common term for those who follow Christ.
• 😀 To truly follow Christ means more than simply claiming belief; it involves a deep, active engagement in His teachings and way of life.
• 😀 The relationship between a Christian and Christ is akin to that of a student and a rabbi, where the goal is to be so close to Christ that His essence becomes part of you.
• 😀 The importance of closing the gap between profession of faith and active discipleship is emphasized, highlighting that faith should drive believers to live as true disciples.

Q & A

What does the speaker believe is a common misconception about being a Christian in the West?

The speaker believes that many people in the West view being a Christian as simply believing in Christ and accepting him as a savior. However, this is considered an insufficient definition of what it truly means to be a Christian.

What does the speaker emphasize about the relationship between a Christian and Christ?

The speaker emphasizes that being a Christian is about being near Christ, not just acknowledging him mentally. A Christian must draw close to Christ and live as He does, becoming like Him through constant engagement with His teachings.

What is the significance of the 'Covered in Jesus's Dust' reflection?

The reflection titled 'Covered in Jesus's Dust' emphasizes the importance of being so close to Christ that one metaphorically becomes covered in His dust, symbolizing the process of becoming like Christ through proximity and discipleship.

What does the speaker say about the church's role in producing saints?

The speaker explains that the church's role is to produce saints through the work of the Holy Spirit. Saints are those who are living as they were meant to live—with God, in God, and in love with both God and people.

What is the main message about discipleship in this reflection?

The main message is that discipleship goes beyond belief and is about actively following Christ. A disciple is someone who is constantly learning from Christ, staying near Him, and being shaped by His teachings to live like Him.

How does the speaker contrast the term 'Christian' with 'disciple'?

The speaker contrasts 'Christian,' which appears only three times in the New Testament, with 'disciple,' which is used over 260 times. The term 'disciple' emphasizes an active, ongoing process of learning, following, and becoming like Christ.

What does the speaker mention about the revival of the fear of God in America?

The speaker notes that there has been a revival of the fear of God in America since around 2020, which has contributed to the steady percentage of Americans identifying as Christians, despite a decline from 78% in 2007.

What does the speaker say about the necessity of active engagement in faith?

The speaker stresses that mere faith or mental acknowledgment of Jesus is not sufficient. True discipleship involves active engagement with Christ’s teachings, constant learning, and living as He did.

What does the speaker suggest about those who leave the church or reject the seriousness of discipleship?

The speaker expresses sadness when people leave the church or reject the seriousness of discipleship. Such people might find the commitment—whether in terms of services, financial support, or spiritual accountability—too demanding, but this mindset is seen as deeply inadequate.

What is the ultimate goal of being a Christian, according to the speaker?

The ultimate goal of being a Christian, according to the speaker, is to be with Christ, to draw near to Him, and to become like Him through continuous discipleship, thereby living as He lived and doing His work.