During my three decades of living out my faith in Jesus, the phrases used to described people who claimed to have faith in Him have changed: from "saved", to "born again", to "Christian", to "believer", to "Christ follower". And it will probably change again.
No matter what "label" we put on this relationship with Jesus, it really comes down to who is calling the shots every day, and every moment of the day, in our lives: me or Jesus?
It is sooooooooooo easy to call my own shots. We Americans especially like to believe that we can control our own destiny and lives through the choices that WE make based on OUR INTELLIGENCE or SAVVY or COMMON SENSE.
That is why it is hard to truly follow Jesus or to live a Christian life or to put whatever name on it you want.
The real question is whose influence am I yielding to: the culture around us, my own "intelligence", or Jesus Himself?
Jesus said He only did what he saw the Father doing....clearly He lived out His life under the influence of the Father.
That must become our only goal if we are to truly be a follower of Christ. This prayer from Isaiah 50:4-5 is a starting place:
Heavenly Father, Sovereign LORD, give me Your words of wisdom,
so that I know how to comfort the weary.
Morning by morning please waken me
and open my understanding to Your will.
Heavenly Father, Sovereign LORD, speak to me,
and I will listen. I will obey; I will not rebel or turn away.
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