Who do you follow?
What Does It Mean to Be a Follower?
In this social media world, people are often intrigued by how many followers you have. Social media influencers love to grow their followers, and companies even offer fake followers to boost one’s platform.
But to be a follower of Christ garners a different kind of attention.
Believers in Christ and followers of Christ are not one and the same. Let’s unpack this!
One can believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for humanity. By the way—the kingdom of darkness knows this as well. Yet that same believer can still live a life contrary to God’s teachings.
Followers of Christ are Christians who have taken up the cross and work diligently to live a life that is holy and righteous before the Lord. Christ’s followers forsake the carnal life and strive to honor God by operating through the Holy Spirit.
The story of the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17–22, NIV is about a young man who asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus went through the commandments that needed to be honored, and the young man boldly said he obeyed them all.
Then, in verse 21, Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Matthew 19:21, NIV)
The story ends with the rich young ruler walking away sorrowful, unwilling to follow Jesus.
Who Are You Following?
What does it take to follow someone? How do we decide who to follow or who’s even worth following?
When I reflect on my own social media, I follow a range of people—clothing boutiques, funny creators, Bible teachers, friends, family—mixed with a slew of people and things I simply find worthwhile to “follow.”
But with everything we know about the Lord, this is for my fellow Believers in Christ:
Why do we find it so challenging to follow Him?
On social media, following someone doesn’t require anything from us. But following our Lord and Savior does. Jesus requires us not to willfully live a life of sin. He wants us to acknowledge that He is Lord of Lords and Christ, the Savior of the world.
We acknowledge that Christ lives in us by the fruit we produce—evidence of who He is.
Jesus is holy, yet we sometimes profane His name. He is the sacrificial Lamb, yet we often spend countless hours scrolling through social media and following people who don’t glorify Him.
Jesus is the heavyweight champion, yet we sometimes try to squeeze Him into a featherweight class.
They don’t mix!
The lukewarm believer thinks they can behave like the world and still belong to Christ. They “mix and match” parts of the Bible that fit their storyline with worldly beliefs. These believers often reject accountability for their fleshly mindsets.
You may have heard the phrase, “Only God can judge me”—often used by those who want to justify sinful choices while resisting correction.
The Lukewarm Syndrome
“Lukewarm syndrome” has blanketed much of the church. Pastors, ministers, and leaders who are called to shepherd the flock of Christ carry a great responsibility—yet some have missed the mark with sermons that sound good but lack nourishment.
Yes, dessert sermons may taste sweet, but they do not strengthen the body. Over time, this spiritual malnutrition creates unhealthy churches—where even unbelievers can’t tell the difference between the world and supposed followers of Christ.
From behind the pulpit, we often hear messages about how amazing we are and how God will lovingly stamp everything we do with a “Yes and Amen.”
Wake up, people! If your version of God agrees with everything you do and say, there’s a problem.
That theology is warped.
Our Father does correct those He loves.
For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.”
Proverbs 3:12 NKJV
Following Jesus
“And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him.”
— Mark 10:32 (ESV)
(Read the full passage: Mark 10:32–52)
Even though the disciples were both amazed and afraid, they still followed.
“And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’”
— Mark 8:34 (ESV)
“And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’”
— Mark 11:9 (ESV)
In the story of blind Bartimaeus, he had a personal encounter with Jesus.
“And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.
— Mark 10:52 (ESV)
When Jesus encountered His disciples, He simply said, “Follow Me.”
The One Worth Following
Jesus is the One we should all follow. There has never been, and never will be, another who lived a perfect life. His story is legendary!
Jesus is our captain, mentor, leader, friend, and the lover of our souls. His Word—the Bible—breathes life and reveals the heart of the One who loves us most.
Jesus is worthy to hit the “follow” button in your life. ❤️
