The simplest description of what we are as Christians, comes from Christ’s first call to those first disciples in Matthew 4:19. Jesus explains the new life He was offering, the salvation He was purchasing, and the Gospel of repentance He was preaching.
He reduces everything down to two words:
Follow Me
This two-word call summarizes the simple yet hard choice that had to be made because either we are following or we are not. There are degrees of following (closely, distantly, sporadically, etc.) but there can be no doubt. If we are following someone it is intentional and it is a choice.
Trace with me now these six times Jesus asks people to follow Him, here in Matthew.
Matthew 4:19 (NKJV) Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Matthew 8:22 (NKJV) But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
Matthew 9:9 (NKJV) Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.
Matthew 16:24 (NKJV) Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
Matthew 19:21 (NKJV) Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
Hearing & Following Christ Starts With Salvation
Now, turn onward to John 10.
Always remember that one of the most powerful verses of assurance and blessing for us as believers comes from Christ’s words in John 10:27:
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
Salvation is when we are found by our Good Shepherd.
We hear Him, forsake going our own sinful way, and begin the rest of our lives listening for His voice in His Word, and following Him.
Those who hear and follow Christ are believers, who are called Christians, who are called disciples.
The Lord left a prayer for His followers or disciples.
The Lord’s Prayer is actually the prayer of those following Christ.
This prayer is the daily confession of all the ways we need Him.
Following the Gospel Pathway Jesus Left for Us.
Aphorism CITY 