The Word of God is timeless as are the messages of faithful men of God that shared them. This week’s devotional is entitled “Following Christ”, a message penned by Pastor Rony Tan, a man who dedicated his life to Following Christ
Pastor Rony has gone home to be the Lord on 16 September. May this devotional inspire each of us to also be faithful “Followers of Christ”.
A memorial service celebrating the life and legacy of Pastor Rony Tan will be held on Friday, 27 September at LEW from 8.00pm – 9:30pm. You are warmly invited to attend.
FOLLOWING CHRIST
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, if any man will come after me,let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Matthew 16:24 KJV)
What does it mean to be a Christian? Many people, believers and pre-believers alike, will answer, “Christians are those who believe in Jesus and attend church.”
What specifically about Jesus are Christians supposed to believe, and what must they do? The common answer to the first part of the question is that we should believe Christ had died to save us from our sin.
In answer to the second part of the question, one would receive a great variety of answers; but I have never heard any Christian say we have to deny self (self-centered life) and carry the cross (death to the prideful, selfish life).
When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny Himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (Mark 8:34)
If a believer refuses to allow the Lord to deal with his carnal self, it is impossible to follow Him in His altruistic character and ministry to the lost. He beckons every believer, “Follow Me and I’ll make you fishers of men.”
True faith is not passive belief. Faith without works or corresponding action is dead. Active faith is applying God’s Word for both character transformation and ministry effectiveness. That’s the only way we truly follow Christ and becoming more and more like Him or conforming to His image by being more like Him and doing what He had done in His earthly life.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (John 14:12)
While on earth, our Lord constantly took authority and action to demonstrate the power and reality of God. The early disciples were so successful because they followed His example. So must we if we want to see our generation saved and impacted.
So arise, Lighters, let your light shine in practical ways and let’s rejoice in His Majesty’s Service! Let your lifestyle prove that Christ is real and true. As we follow our Lord and Savior faithfully, in the narrow way, we’ll be accorded much more priceless benefits than the sacrifices required. I’ll just cite seven of them.
You will have the life of Christ that is full of meaning and power. (Matthew 16:24-25)
You will have eternal life; and as you keep following Christ, you will never be lost. (John 10:27-28)
You will have His light to keep you from stumbling, and also your reflected light will show others the way. (John 8:12)
You will have treasure in Heaven that doesn’t perish. (Matthew 19:21)
You will have a 100-fold blessings in this life. (Mark 10:29-30)
You will have the great privilege of sharing the ministry with Christ. (Matthew 4:19)
You will have honor from Father God. (John 12:26)
No wonder, Jim Elliot, a martyr, had these words written in his Bible: He is no fool to lose what he can’t keep, and keep what he can’t lose.
DAILY MEDITATIONS:
Monday: Matthew 16:24-25
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Tuesday: John 10:27-28
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Wednesday: John 8:12
Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Thursday: Matthew 19:21
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
Friday: Mark 10:29-30
And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
Saturday: Matthew 4:19
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Sunday: John 12:26
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
All scriptures are quoted from the King James Version (KJV).
By Pastor Rony Tan
