“There’s a Christ follower”
When people look at us, speak of us, encounter us, or even think of us—How do they identify us?
- Some are identified by their vocation.
- Some are identified by their loyalties.
- Some are identified by their family name.
- Some are even identified by their actions.
When others look at us, speak of us, encounter us, or even think of us—May they speak these words:
“There’s a Christ follower.”
Within most families, there are nicknames, pet names, slang names, and shortened names given to each other. Even after naming my lovely daughter a great name, once chosen with care, for years she wore a silly, slang name: “Squirrely,” and for the life of me, I cannot remember why such a slang name ever entered my mind in regard to her. Oftentimes, whenever we listen to my mom speak of her children and grandchildren, we hear how she enjoys placing an “e” sound on the end of some names that do not naturally end with that sound. Then, my uncles, my mom’s brothers, who have named their children perfectly good names, ones written upon their birth certificates, but sometime during their children’s lives, a nickname came to them and stuck. Even my precious great niece enjoys (or maybe suffers through) the nickname I gave her even when she remained within her mother’s womb. “Clementine” will always be “Clementine” to me, and in fact, when my friends have called her by name, they lovingly use “Clementine’s” nickname given to her by her crazy great aunt Nancy rather than her birth name given by her parents.
Pet Names. Nick Names. Slang Names. Shortened Names. Vocational Names.
We wear so many names.
Nevertheless, there is only one name—worthy—of wearing: Christ follower!
Dear reader, I wear that name with honor, praise, and thanksgiving, but do you also wear the same name? Here’s the truth. We cannot wear the name of Christian or Christ follower unless we have been FOUND by the SAVIOR.
Do not believe me (ever) but only believe what God’s Word has to say. Please read with me.
“One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
(John 1: 40-45 NASB)
He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ).
He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).
The next day He decided to go to Galilee, and He found Philip. And Jesus said to him, “Follow me.”
Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses wrote in the Law, and the prophets also wrote: Jesus the son of Joseph from Nazareth!”
When people look at us, speak of us, encounter us, or even think of us—How do they identify us?
May they speak these words: “There’s a Christ follower.”
Every other “name” is secondary.
Why? It is only because the Christ follower has HOPE.
That’s what the whole world needs.
The HOPE found only in JESUS CHRIST the SAVIOR!
HOPE implies “waiting” for that which has not yet come, but not as in “wishful thinking” and not as in “magical tricks” but “waiting” as we are fully aware that the character of God will be revealed to the world just as HE PROMISED.
“Every knew will bow” “MEANS” EVERY SINGLE KNEE WILL DROP DOWN TO THE GROUND & BOW BECAUSE EVERY PERSON WILL SUDDENLY KNOW!
Therefore, when someone encounters Jesus, his eyes are suddenly opened with clarity.
- How will they know?
- How will they see Jesus if we do not bring them to Jesus?
- How will they ever meet our Savior if we never speak of Jesus?
- How will they ever know Jesus, if we never take them to a place where they can encounter our Lord?
Evangelism is serious business!
If that were not so, then Jesus would not have given the “Great Commission” to His disciples before he ascended back to heaven after His resurrection from the dead. Jesus told them (Christ followers) what they were to focus upon, and Jesus gives us (Christ followers) the same “Great Commission.”
Evangelism truly is serious business!
Three things I wish to leave us considering:
- Are we known to the world surrounding us as—a Christ follower?
- Are we waiting, secure within the HOPE God provides?
- Are we telling others & taking others & inviting others—to meet JESUS the SAVIOR?
Even though we must wait with HOPE on the fullness of God’s future kingdom, we can enjoy and experience God’s faithful love and peace and faithfulness—Right Now!
We have received a new identity (a new name) at our second birth.
May we be known by others as “Whose we are” as we walk through our days!
Won’t we be serious in how we wear our precious name—Christ follower!
“Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
(Psalm 33: 18-22 NASB)
On those who wait for His faithfulness,
To rescue their soul from death
And to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
For our heart rejoices in Him,
Because we trust in His holy name.
Let Your favor, LORD, be upon us,
Just as we have waited for You.”