By: Elizabeth Louis
What It Truly Means to Follow Jesus for Jesus
📖 “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wants to follow Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.’” – Matthew 16:24
Do You Follow Jesus or Just Use Him?
Most people think they are following Jesus when in reality, they are following their version of Jesus—a version that primarily serves their desires, goals, and comforts.
But what if Jesus didn’t make your life easier?
What if He didn’t answer your prayers the way you wanted?
What if following Him led to rejection, loss, or suffering?
Would you still follow Him?
Jesus doesn’t exist to serve us—we exist to serve, love, and worship Him because He is Lord.
Following Jesus for Jesus means that:
✅ You worship Him because He is worthy, not because He blesses you.
✅ You obey Him, even when it costs you something.
✅ You love Him more than your own life, dreams, or comfort.
✅ You stay faithful, even when life doesn’t go your way.
Let’s break this down by looking at 5 points so you can see clearly if you’re truly following Jesus—or just using Him.
1. Following Jesus Means Worshiping Him for Who He Is, Not Just What He Can Do
📖 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” – Matthew 22:37
Many people follow Jesus because they expect something from Him—a breakthrough, peace, success, guidance, or blessings.
And while Jesus does provide for us, true disciples don’t follow Him for what He gives—they follow Him for who He is.
Mindsets That Reveal If You’re Using Jesus Instead of Following Him:
❌ “If God is good, why hasn’t He fixed my situation?”
❌ “I tried following Jesus, but my life didn’t get better.”
❌ “God must not be with me because I’m struggling.”
What Following Jesus for Jesus Looks Like:
✅ You worship when life is falling apart.
- Your faith isn’t based on answered prayers—it’s based on God’s unchanging nature.
- Like Job, you say, “Though He slay me, yet I will trust Him.” – Job 13:15
✅ You seek intimacy with Him, not just help from Him.
- Your prayers are not just “God, fix this,” but “God, I want to know You.”
- You love spending time with Him, even when you don’t need anything.
✅ You trust His character even when you don’t understand His ways.
- You believe He is good even when circumstances seem bad.
- You rest in the truth that He is sovereign, even when life is chaotic.
📖 “Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom.” – Psalm 145:3
2. Following Jesus Means Total Surrender, Not Partial Obedience
📖 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 7:21
Many love Jesus as a Savior but refuse to obey Him as Lord.
True disciples understand that Jesus is King, and a King is to be obeyed—not just admired.
Mindsets That Reveal If You’re Partially Obeying Jesus:
❌ “I know what the Bible says, but I just don’t think God would want me to be unhappy.”
❌ “I’ll follow Jesus, but I won’t give up [a specific sin, lifestyle, or relationship].”
❌ “I love Jesus, but I just do Christianity my own way.”
What Following Jesus for Jesus Looks Like:
✅ You obey even when it’s hard.
- You forgive, even when you don’t want to.
- You give generously, even when it’s inconvenient.
- You resist sin, even when it means sacrifice.
✅ You let go of control.
- You trust His timing instead of trying to manipulate situations.
- You don’t make excuses—you live in radical obedience.
✅ You say ‘Yes’ to His calling, even when it costs you.
- You follow even when it means rejection or discomfort.
- You serve Him whether you feel like it or not.
📖 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” – Luke 6:46
3. Following Jesus Means Loving Him More Than Anything Else
📖 “Whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.” – Matthew 10:37
Jesus doesn’t ask for part of your heart—He asks for all of it.
True disciples love Him above all else—even above relationships, success, or comfort.
These thoughts Reveal If You Love Something More Than Jesus:
❌ “I’ll follow Jesus, but my career comes first.”
❌ “I can’t give up this relationship, even though I know it’s not honoring to God.”
❌ “I need to achieve my goals first—then I’ll serve God.”
What Following Jesus for Jesus Looks Like:
✅ You desire Him more than the world.
- You would rather spend time with Jesus than chase after distractions.
✅ You don’t make idols out of earthly things.
- You don’t rely on money, relationships, or status for security.
✅ You love Him more than your own life.
- You hold nothing back from Him—your time, resources, and devotion.
📖 “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” – Philippians 1:21
4. Following Jesus Means Living by Faith, Not by Feelings
📖 “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7
True disciples trust Jesus even when they don’t feel Him, see Him working, or understand His plan.
Mindsets That Reveal If You’re Living by Feelings Instead of Faith:
❌ “I don’t feel close to God, so maybe He’s left me.”
❌ “If God loved me, He wouldn’t allow this to happen.”
❌ “I’ll wait for a sign before I obey.”
What Following Jesus for Jesus Looks Like:
✅ You stay faithful in trials.
✅ You obey God’s Word, even when you don’t feel like it.
✅ You trust God’s promises more than your fears.
📖 “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.” – Jeremiah 17:7
🔥 Final Challenge: Are You Truly Following Jesus?
✅ Worshiping Him because He is worthy
✅ Surrendering fully, not just obeying when convenient
✅ Loving Him more than anything else
✅ Living by faith, not by feelings
✅ Boldly making Him known to others
📖 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” – Galatians 2:20
🙏 Pray this:
“Jesus, I don’t want to follow You for what You can do for me—I want to follow You because You are Lord. I surrender everything to You. Lead me, and I will follow.”
🚀 Many know ABOUT Jesus. Few truly FOLLOW Him. Which one are you?
