Today I am going to tell you about a few words that can be very intimidating. When I first started going to Bible study I remember a lesson about making disciples. Disciples are dedicated followers of Christ. For some it sounds intimidating because Jesus pointed out that it would be costly. This makes it sound like it might be a lot of work so let me set your mind at ease. Becoming a follower of Christ is making the choice to follow Him flaws and all. He meets us right where we are at and builds us up from there. Isn't that amazing!? A follower of Christ and a disciple are the same it is how we perceive it.
Being a follower of Christ is costly, but God is very patient with us and loves to help His children so keep this in mind. Jesus said, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me." (Luke 9:23,NLT) I chose the NLT version because it says to take up your cross daily. We can't pick and choose the times we want to follow Jesus once we make this commitment we need to do this daily. Yes, especially when it seems hard!
The other word is holy and I think this is intimidating because we tend to think it means perfection. Well at least that is what I thought. I love the KJV dictionary because this is what I just learned, Holiness: the state of being holy purity or integrity of moral character freedom from sin sanctity. Applied to the Supreme Being, holiness denotes perfect purity or integrity of moral character, one of His essential attributes.
This is a part of Jesus' intercessory prayer for His disciples and for us too. " I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth, Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth." John 17:15-19. NKJV
As Jesus prayed for us to be holy we need to believe it! Holiness is setting ourselves apart from the worldly ways and no longer living for our desires. According to the KJV dictionary: Applied to human beings, holiness is purity of heart, but not perfect. We simply need to follow in His footsteps and do our best to be like Him. This is being a follower of Christ!
Amen!