By Russell McLaughlin

FOLLOW THE LEADER

20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

            When I was a little boy, my father used to play a game with me in the supermarket, “Follow the Leader.”  I would get behind him and pretend I was pushing a basket and getting items off the shelf as he did.  He always gave me a treat at the drug store (the kind with a soda fountain) next door if I did a good job following him.  That was pretty wise on his part, wasn’t it?  I was so busy watching him, I never wandered away, asked for extra items, or felt bored.  I was busy following my leader.

            As I grew older my father taught me about the real leader to follow, Jesus Christ.  The first memory verse he taught me was I Peter 2:21: “To this you were called because Christ suffered for you, leaving you as an example that you should follow in His steps...”  As a family, we gathered around the table and listened to my dad read the classic Christian book In His Steps, by Charles M. Sheldon.  My father taught and showed us that before we made any decision we should ask, “What would Jesus have me do?”

            As a minister, I have made it my goal to help people follow Jesus.  I often hear people say the Church’s business should be “this” or “that.”  However, the truth is that the Church should be in the business of making disciples who follow their leader, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  Paul says in Romans 8:29, “Those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son.”  God designed us to be like Jesus, and that is when we are at our best.  A bird is designed to fly and is at its best when it is in flight.  A fish is designed to swim and is at its best when it is in the water swimming.  We are at our best when we are being like Jesus, because that’s how God designed us.  Some say being evangelistic is what is most important.  Think about it, you can be evangelistic and not be Christ-like, but you cannot be Christ-like and not be evangelistic.  Following our leader is of utmost importance.

            Jesus said: “If any man would come after me, He must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) Jesus must be Lord of all, or He can’t be Lord at all.  In Revelation 14:4, we see that the 144,000 who belonged to God were the ones who followed the Lamb wherever He went.  How well are you following Jesus as the leader of your life?  How much time do you spend each day in God’s Word?  How often do you pray? Who do you serve more, yourself or others? Do you stop and ask yourself, “What would Jesus have me to do?”  Let’s follow our Leader, Jesus Christ!

God Bless!!