Do you want to follow Jesus today in your life more than anything else? If so, you are not alone. Many people have made the decision to trust in Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and to live for Him in this world. But following Jesus is not easy. It requires faith, obedience, and perseverance. It also means facing many temptations, persecutions, and challenges from the devil, who wants to mislead you and destroy your relationship with God.
But don’t be afraid. God has not left you alone in this battle. He has given you His Word, His Spirit, and His promises to help you follow Him faithfully and victoriously. In this blog post, we will explore some of the ways that you can follow Jesus in a world full of temptations and challenges, and how you can experience His grace and power in your life.
First, you need to know who Jesus is and what He has done for you. Jesus is the Son of God who came to this world to die for you and me so that we may live. He took our sins upon Himself on the cross, and rose again on the third day, defeating death and the devil. He offers us forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life if we believe in Him and confess Him as our Lord (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10).
Believing in Jesus means more than just agreeing with some facts about Him. It means trusting Him with your whole heart, and surrendering your life to Him. It means repenting of your sins, and turning away from anything that displeases Him. It means following His commands, and loving Him with all your soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30).
Following Jesus also means following His example. Jesus lived a perfect life of obedience to God, even when He faced temptations, trials, and sufferings. He did not sin, but always did what pleased His Father (Hebrews 4:15; John 8:29). He taught us how to pray, how to serve, how to love, how to forgive, how to endure, and how to overcome (Matthew 6:9-13; John 13:1-17; John 15:12-13; Matthew 18:21-22; Hebrews 12:1-3; Revelation 3:21).
As His followers, we are called to imitate Him in everything we do (1 Corinthians 11:1). We are called to walk as He walked (1 John 2:6). We are called to be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16). We are called to be transformed into His image by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
But how can we do this? How can we follow Jesus in a world full of temptations and challenges? How can we resist the devil and his schemes? How can we overcome our sinful nature and our weaknesses? How can we grow in faith and obedience?
The answer is simple: we cannot do it by ourselves. We need God’s help. We need His grace and power. And He has provided them for us through His Word and His Spirit.
God’s Word is our guide, our light, our sword, and our food. It reveals God’s will, God’s character, God’s promises, and God’s works. It teaches us how to live, how to think, how to act, and how to speak. It corrects us when we are wrong, instructs us when we are ignorant, rebukes us when we are rebellious, and encourages us when we are discouraged (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 119:105; Hebrews 4:12; Matthew 4:4).
We need to read God’s Word daily, meditate on it constantly, memorize it frequently, and apply it diligently (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2; Psalm 119:11; James 1:22). We need to study it carefully, compare it with other scriptures, and seek its proper interpretation (2 Timothy 2:15; Acts 17:11).
The Word of God is not just a collection of words or a book of stories. It is the living and active revelation of God’s will, character, and purpose for us. It is the source of truth, wisdom, and guidance for our lives. It is the power that transforms us into the image of Christ and enables us to fulfill our calling as His disciples.
The Word of God has many functions and benefits for us as believers. Here are some of them:
- The Word of God is the way of happiness. Psalm 119:1-2 says, “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart!” When we follow God’s Word, we experience His blessing and joy in our lives.
- The Word of God is the way to avoid shame. Psalm 119:6 says, “Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.” When we obey God’s Word, we avoid the shame and guilt that come from sin and disobedience.
- The Word of God is the way of safety. Psalm 119:9 says, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” When we guard our hearts and minds with God’s Word, we protect ourselves from the temptations and snares of the enemy.
- The Word of God is the way of good counsel. Psalm 119:24 says, “Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.” When we need advice or direction, we can turn to God’s Word for His wisdom and guidance.
- The Word of God is the way of strength. Psalm 119:28 says, “My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!” When we face trials or difficulties, we can find strength and comfort in God’s Word.
- The Word of God is the way of hope. Psalm 119:43 says, “And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your rules.” When we feel hopeless or discouraged, we can find hope and encouragement in God’s Word.
- The Word of God is the way of wisdom. Psalm 119:98-100 says, “Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.” When we meditate on God’s Word, we gain insight and understanding that surpasses human knowledge.
- The Word of God is the way we should go. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” When we need direction or guidance, we can look to God’s Word for His will and plan for our lives.
These are just some of the functions and benefits of God’s Word for us as believers. There are many more that we can discover as we read, study, and apply it daily. Let us treasure God’s Word as our most precious possession and our greatest resource for living a godly life.
