What does it mean to follow Jesus?
Whether intentionally or not, too many Christians exercise gross hypocrisy by using a different definition for the word “follow” when it applies to following Jesus than they would in other aspects of their lives. For instance, no one would think they could follow another car to an intended destination by taking different turns than they do, yet many Christians pretend they can follow Jesus while picking and choosing when to live as he would in their place.1 How silly it is to think you will go to the same place he is by traveling a different path than he did!2
To follow Jesus is to walk on the way of life. The Lord said “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) As you walk with God, you will abound in all the blessings he enjoys.3 To walk with God requires you to walk as God would, as far as you understand him to be.
To walk with God is to live in complete reconciliation to one’s understanding of the character of Jesus. Anyone who does anything else does not know or believe Jesus, and the truth is not in them.4
To follow Jesus means to live as you sincerely believe he would, at all times and in all places.5 It means to conform to whatever he reveals to you about himself,6 to follow every instruction he provides to guide you,7 and to prioritize him8 and his purpose above all else.9 To follow Jesus means to learn and live his character. It is to do, think, and feel what he would in your place for the same reasons.
Footnotes
- 1. And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father? (2 Nephi 31:10) ↩
- 2. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:4-6) ↩
- 3. He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8) ↩
- 4. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him...He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1 John 2:3-4, 6) ↩
- 5. ...to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life— (Mosiah 18:9) ↩
- 6. Can two walk together, except they be agreed? (Amos 3:3) ↩
- 7. And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father? (2 Nephi 32:10) ↩
- 8. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of the day, harden not your hearts. (Jacob 6:5) ↩
- 9. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light....No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon....But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:21-22, 24, 33) ↩