Truly Following Jesus: The Cost, Rewards, and Steps to Take

How to Truly Follow Jesus in a World That Rejects Him

Following Jesus is not a popular path in our world today. In fact, it’s becoming increasingly unpopular and even dangerous in some places. But for those who choose to truly follow him, the rewards are infinitely greater than any earthly comfort or pleasure.

Unfortunately, many people only almost follow Jesus. They may attend church, read their Bible, and even pray, but their hearts are not fully committed to him. They are not willing to give up everything to follow him (Luke 14:33), and as a result, they miss out on the true joy and fulfillment that comes from a deep relationship with him.

The Danger of Almost Following Jesus

Jesus warned his followers about the danger of almost following him when he said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

It’s not enough to simply call Jesus “Lord” and go through the motions of Christianity. We must actually do the will of God if we want to enter the kingdom of heaven.

But what does it mean to do the will of God? The Bible tells us that God’s will is for us to believe in Jesus (John 6:29) and to love one another (John 13:34-35). It’s also God’s will for us to be holy (1 Thessalonians 4:3) and to share the gospel with others (Matthew 28:19-20).

So, if we want to truly follow Jesus, we must believe in him, love others, live holy lives, and share the gospel. Anything less than that is almost following him.

The Cost of Truly Following Jesus

Following Jesus comes at a cost. In fact, Jesus himself said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).

Denying ourselves and taking up our cross means that we must be willing to put aside our own desires and plans and submit to God’s will for our lives, even if it means suffering and persecution. It means being willing to lose everything for the sake of Christ (Mark 8:35).

But the cost of following Jesus is nothing compared to the rewards. Jesus said, “Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25). When we truly follow Jesus, we experience the joy and peace that comes from a deep relationship with him. We also have the hope of eternal life with him in heaven.

The Rewards of Truly Following Jesus

The rewards of truly following Jesus are immeasurable. When we give our lives to him and make him the center of our lives, we experience a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). This abundant life is not found in the things of this world, but in a relationship with Jesus Christ.

When we truly follow Jesus, we also have the assurance of eternal life with him in heaven. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

When we put our faith in Jesus and follow him, we have the hope of spending eternity with him in heaven. This hope gives us strength and courage to face any trial or hardship that may come our way.

How to Truly Follow Jesus

If you want to truly follow Jesus, here are some steps you can take:

1. Surrender Your Life to Him

The first step to truly following Jesus is to surrender your life to him. This means acknowledging that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and putting your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

When you surrender your life to Jesus, you are giving him control of your life. You are saying, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). This is the first step in truly following him.

2. Read and Study the Bible

The Bible is God’s word to us. It is our guidebook for how to live a life that honors God. If we want to truly follow Jesus, we must read and study the Bible regularly.

Reading and studying the Bible helps us to understand God’s will for our lives and to grow in our relationship with him. It also helps us to discern truth from error and to avoid false teachings.

3. Pray

Prayer is our way of communicating with God. If we want to truly follow Jesus, we must pray regularly.

Prayer helps us to deepen our relationship with God and to seek his guidance and direction for our lives. It also helps us to grow in our faith and to trust God more fully.

4. Join a Church

Joining a church is an important part of truly following Jesus. The church is the body of Christ, and we are called to be a part of it (1 Corinthians 12:27).

Being a part of a church helps us to grow in our faith, to receive support and encouragement from other believers, and to serve others in the name of Christ.

5. Serve Others

Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). If we want to truly follow Jesus, we must follow his example and serve others.

Serving others helps us to show the love of Christ to those around us and to make a difference in the world. It also helps us to grow in humility and to put the needs of others before our own.

Conclusion

Truly following Jesus in a world that rejects him is not easy, but it is the most rewarding and fulfilling path we can take. When we surrender our lives to him, read and study the Bible, pray, join a church, and serve others, we experience the joy and peace that comes from a deep relationship with him.

So, don’t settle for almost following Jesus. Choose to truly follow him today and experience the abundant life he has promised to those who love him.

Remember the words of Jesus, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). The cost may be great, but the rewards are infinitely greater.