There is a vast difference between being a follower of someone and being a believer in someone. Followers can follow from a distance or close up to feel a certain way. Followers of Jesus can be very religious and not be born again. Followers do not have to truly accept all of the Bible and of course, all of Jesus. Followers do not have the Holy Spirit, but believers are immersed in not only the truth of the Holy Spirit but are indwelt with the Holy Spirit. Believers are all in no matter what our society believes. Followers want to live a "good" life, but believers live in the righteousness of God that is provided only by being Born of the Spirit.
All of this is more than a difference in words, it is a difference in total faith in God, the Bible, and of course, Jesus. A follower will read something in the Bible and try to make it more human and reasonable, thus minimizing God in the whole picture. A believer will read the same thing in the Bible and believe it is real, truthful, and eternal, meaning it can still happen today. A believer does not like any part of "'religion" and stiffens at the thought of it dampening their relationship with Jesus. A follower will try to think that obedience to the cause of Christ is the way to draw near to Christ. But it's not. Anything that has any human "strength" and knowledge in it compromises the very thing a believer believes.
A follower can leave the faith at any time, especially when humanism becomes the main driving force in the reason they follow Jesus. A follower will believe they can become more righteous by living a "good" life, but a believer will throw out the "pride monster" and even in their sin come boldly before the throne of God. Isaiah 64:6 We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Followers sometimes believe they are better than other people because of their obedience to God, but believers will fall on their faces at the feet of Jesus and just offer themselves, warts and all
On the Sea of Galilee, Jesus met a group of fishermen and said these words, "Follow me," They met Jesus, but did not receive the Holy Spirit at that time and followed him and watched Him heal and share the message of His coming death, burial, and resurrection. In Acts 2:1 On the day of Pentecost, all the believers were meeting together in one place.2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting.3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
The Holy Spirit was the difference maker and suddenly those who had only followed became those who shared the message of Jesus and thousands were born again. Keep in mind that just believing that God is real, that Jesus is the Son of God, and also that He offers a new life for all who come to Him is still not enough. James wrote the following words in James 2:19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. Once again, just believing that something is true is not enough. There is a surrender, which involves receiving that fact by faith. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. You are saved through faith and that is when you are born again in the Spirit. A new birth is Jesus is the result of being born-again. Jesus said this Himself in John 3:5 Jesus answered “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit.
It is here where a "follower" might have a problem with believing all the Bible says because like Nicodemus, their mind cannot wrap around such a radical truth. John 3:9. Nicodemus responded and said to Him, "How can these things be?" Keep in mind that just because you cannot grasp this great truth does not mean it is not pure truth. Trust the words of Jesus, believe in Him, and surrender your life to "all" He offers and receive the Holy Spirit and all will make total sense. Then you will not be a distant follower but a "convert" that has received the righteousness of God through the Holy Spirit who now lives in you. You will be filled with the Spirit of God and He will show you the mysteries of how to live this new life. ALL things are new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold new things have come.
Come to Jesus with a receptive heart that has faith in what He says and receives Him by faith and all will be made new. Don't just be a follower, but a believer.
The Pilgrimage Continues
David Warren
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