I used to sing this song as a kid at church. It goes, “I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back. No turning back.”

I did not understand that concept at all. And I don’t think most kids back then did. I don’t even think most Christians, at any age, actually do. Recently, this revelation has been running me over and over like a train, and it has been convicting me of the hypocrisy in my life. I cannot believe now how blind I was, and how blind I still am, to be uttering those seemingly primitive words. And so I realize that this post is immersed with hypocrisy. However, the role of any Christian is not to point to himself but to Christ. And that is what I will do.

What does it mean to follow Jesus? Does it mean doing good things? Being nice?

If so, then the whole world is following Jesus. Following Jesus actually doesn’t turns out to be a big deal after all. You play your video games. You take your tests. You go to your parties. And you make sure that you’re nice to those around you while you’re at it. Piece of cake.

What a joke.

Guys, Jesus calls us to suffer. One of the aspects of following Jesus, and I might even say the most important aspect of following Jesus, is to suffer. Do you need proof?

Luke 9:23
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

1 Peter 2:20-21
For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

2 Timothy 3:12
Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

Philippians 1:29
For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.

Romans 8:16-17
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

2 Corinthians 4:8-11
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

Christians talk about trying to be Christ-like all the time. Do they even understand what they are saying? Christ died naked and unrecognizable on a tree. Being Christ-like is to die.

So the next time you think about saying “I have decided to follow Jesus” to the people around you, remind yourself that that doesn’t mean that you have decided to be friendly to your roommate. That means that you have decided to suffer and die.

Jesus did not come to earth to be friendly. Jesus came to earth to die. So don’t water down his actions just so you can say that you’re a follower of Jesus.

– Larry