Life Ministries

Follow 2 - “Being Found In The Way”
John 14:12, Acts 9:2

    Witt Stephens tells the story of a trail made by a calf, some three hundred years ago. He describes how the trail turned into a path as dogs and sheep walked in the calf’s footsteps. Behind them were people who walked the path as well. The path became a lane, and then a road, then a village street, and soon a freeway…all from a little calf path. Jesus takes us from the twisted, mindless, calf paths of our day and calls us to walk what He calls the “narrow way”.

    The word “follow” not only notes a relationship, as I have mentioned, but also comes from the root word that means “path”. This gives a little more understanding in the sense that a follower in the time of Christ was one who was found “in the Way” or following in the way or path that Jesus had made. He was like that little calf, and his desire was that those who came behind him would make that path like a freeway!
    He came into our world of well worn paths of conventional wisdom, traditional habits, cultural attitudes, of philosophical weirdness, and religious codes of behavior, and boldly announced “I am the Way”… “Come follow me!”  The Psalmist said “The Lord is my Shepherd…He leads me in paths of righteousness.” As followers, we ought to be on that path; walking a different path. If we are truly following, then he will touch every part of our lives; relationships; money; children; and jobs; our focus on life; our attitudes; all re-routed and changed direction!
    Jesus not only calls us to be different and follow a different path, but he gives us so many examples to follow in God’s Word, it would take quite a while to study them all, but some of us have never studied them at all. Examples like; “I have come to do the will of my Father in heaven”… “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”  Followers seek to do God’s will, and to find His will and purpose for their lives. Or how about; “I have come to seek and to save that which is lost”… Are we following his example?
    Another example Christ gives us is “anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing…and even greater things than these…so the Son may bring glory to the Father.”  Everything we do ought to bring glory to God.  Not “look what we did” or “look how great our church is”…but, “what a mighty God we serve!” It is the delight of a devoted follower, and a witness and testimony to the experience of having God in our lives and the difference it makes.
    The issue of following goes deeper than our conduct however, it relates to our character.  In following Christ, it’s the ever expanding character that becomes the important element of our existence as Christians. It is the character of Christ – like the fruit of the Spirit – that flows into, through, and out of our lives. It is a noticeable difference that people can see and feel and be attracted to.  They no longer see us, but they see the character of Christ and the power of God and the hand of God working in our lives and it attracts!  The people saw and felt and experienced something when they followed Christ!  He wasn’t like all the other religious people! His disciples and followers were not like everyone else!  They followed Christ and his “way” so closely, that the world gave them a nickname that began in Antioch, they were called “Christians.” They didn’t just believe in Christ, they followed Christ, and they impacted the world like never before! 
    So what really is the “Way”? What was the “path” that Christ led his people to follow?  Well, #1. He led them in the path of “integrity” (Living a life consistent with the truth of God’s Word no matter what came his way.)  #2. He led them in the way of “humility”. (Always giving God the glory and living the life of a servant…in the desire to serve people and not to be served.)  #3. He led them in the way of “compassion.” ( Not just feeling sorry for, or having pity on people, but taking action to meet their needs.)  #4. He led the people in the way of “purity and holiness”. (It is a characteristic in our lives that cancels wrong motives and insincerity as well as wrong-doing.)  #5. He led them in the way of “generosity.” (His followers are generous with all their resources within the priorities that honor Christ and glorify God.)  And, finally, #6. He led them in the way of “Contentment.” (Always accepting and being thankful for what God has provided. It enables us to pursue righteousness rather than a long list of “coveted” things.)  Character leaves a legacy. You see, competency makes a living…credentials are buried with us…but character is transferable to succeeding generations!  And, while competency and credentials may be available to a few, character is available and attainable to everyone!
    One of the most decisive battles of World War II was won by a simple and clever scheme; As the Germans advanced and approached a crossroads, a sign pointing the way to their destination led them across a long bridge. As they crossed the bridge, the allies blew it up. They had simply turned the sign and led the German’s in the wrong direction… and right into their trap!  Let’s make sure we are on the right path. Satan may try to turn the signpost along the way…but devoted followers keep their eyes on the leader!