“Then He said to them, ‘Follow Me…”
Matthew 4:9
In my early youth, growing up under the wings of Nigerian believers was no easy habitation. Within this religious fold, I was forced to reconcile that there are indeed spirits of wickedness in high places who sought after the believer.
For a younger me, a believer had to live the life of battles. I didn’t know that the struggles we each face in our individual journey for the kingdom, has to do with the purpose of God to mold and polish us in preparation for the life of discipline we are called to live.
It is now that I understand that believing in God is only the first part. Thus many of us believe, but not enough of us believers actually follow.
When church scandals erupt from time to time, I am compelled to ask myself, how could a believer find themselves in such and such situation? How does it happen?
When I heed the call of God to come closer, HE first had to show me the errors of my own ways as a believer – I believed, but I did not follow. There was an evil inside me that gave me reason not to follow the word of God but still claim to be a believer that loves God and believes in His omnipotence.
I asked a close counterpart recently about the matter.
“Are you a believer?” He replied that he was.
I then asked if he was a follower. “I believe I am he said.”
I proceeded with asking him whether or not he thought both creeds fell under the same realm. I immediately observed the conflict arise through his disgruntled look.
For many believers, following the Word of God is equated to believing in God. But the clarity from a knowing Spirit says otherwise.
Friend, how true is our belief if we don’t follow the Word of the One we believe in?
It is here in a realm with the Lord like I’ve never been , that I am learning just what it means to know God and be a follower of Christ.
Friend, there is discipline in discipleship.
Think of an internship or a mentor-ship of any kind. In order to receive the full knowledge and understanding as an intern or mentee, one must follow closely in the steps of the one leading in the experience. It would not be enough to just hear the instruction or the knowledge offered. It is necessary to work in a hands-on environment to apply what is being learned.
It’s no different in this walk of faith with God. CONTINUE READING HERE.
