Let Me Ask You A Question

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me].  For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake will find it [that is, life with Me for all eternity]. —                                                                                                                                 –Matthew 16:24-25 AMP 

Pssst! Come here! I’ve got a question for you.

It’s a simple question, one I have no doubt you have been asked countless times before which also makes it a familiar question. Yet in its simplicity lies a great deal of importance. In fact, this may just be the most important question you have ever been asked. 

Deep breath…here we go….

Are you a follower of Christ?

You’re probably reading this question over with what I call a doughnut expression; glazed. What do you mean, am I a follower of Christ? I get it. I too have been asked this question more times than I have fingers to count on over the course of my life and like so many of you I have had a tendency to blow it off. Does this question bring with it discomfort? No, not really. Do I feel the pangs of conviction? Not especially. Why then would I attempt to wave away such an important question? In layman’s terms it comes off as being a dumb question to ask. It’s like turning on the television and watching your favorite drama for the third time–it becomes overdone and redundant. Even the ending isn’t necessary because you already know how the story ends. But hold that thought for just a moment and bear with me. Read through the question again. What am I really asking?

Are you a follower of Christ? (I didn’t ask what church you currently attend.)

Are you a follower of Christ? (I didn’t ask if Momma, Poppa, Grandma June, or Grandpa Harry were believers.)

Are you a follower of Christ?  (I didn’t ask if you summered in VBS, plaster your car with fishies and bumper stickers, donned a cross around your neck or any other what they call “witness wear.”)

Are you a follower of Christ?  (I didn’t ask if you recited a prayer at the altar or wherever you happened to be sitting or if you speak or even slightly understand “Christianese.”)

What is it that I am asking?

First of all, let me just assure you that there is nothing wrong with any of the aforementioned on to themselves. At the same time there is nothing completely right with them either. Any time any one of us is on the receiving end of the above question we tend to have a lightning quick response at the ready which more times than not is, “Yes, I am a follower of Christ.” Sometimes the conversation ends with this statement while other times we add on one of the above conditioners; “Yes, I’m a follower of Christ, I attend ________________________(enter church name).” “Yes, I’m a follower of Christ, can’t you tell by the bumper sticker on my car?” “Yes, I’m a follower of Christ, my great grandparents were pillars in the community and were the first ones seated every Sunday.” The list can go on and on and while in and of themselves coming from a godly lineage, attending a Bible teaching/believing church, and sharing the Gospel through stickers and decals can all be considered good these things do not necessarily mean we are true Christ followers nor do they reflect our willingness to be counted as disciples. True discipleship is costly. It costs us our comfort. It costs us our time, our energies, sometimes our money. It can cost us our jobs or relationships. And in some cases, like young Rachel Joy Scott and Cassie Bernall who were among 13 killed in the Columbine shooting of 1999, it can cost us our lives. Discipleship doesn’t sound appealing when you place it in these perspectives, does it?

There is a day fast approaching when thousands upon thousands who honestly believed themselves to be followers of Christ will be hit with the revelation that He has no recognition of them. Take a sobering journey through Matthew 7:21-23. ““Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to Me on that day [when I judge them], ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, and driven out demons in Your name, and done many miracles in Your name?’  And then I will declare to them publicly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me [you are banished from My presence], you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands].’” This is Jesus talking; not me.  One day sooner rather than later we will be at His feet. We will stand before Him and give an accounting for our time here. Way too many people, even more who I personally know and love, identifying themselves as His followers will stand with confidence and be met with, “I have never known you. Away from Me.”  I can’t speak for anyone else but the thought alone of hearing those words is enough to send chills through me. It has also caused me to stop and take a good, hard, honest, look at myself and my own willingness to stand and be counted. 

Are you walking faithfully and wholeheartedly with Christ? Do you assume to be a follower of Christ based on the above listed as well as a few things I may have forgotten? Are you willing to stand and be counted as a true follower regardless of the cost?

Devotional Time

Use these moments to read through Matthew 16:24-25 and Matthew 7:21-23. As you read, quiet your heart and mind before God. Allow His grace to fill and equip you with strength and power as you commit or recommit to being a follower of Him.