"Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." (Matthew 16:24)
There are millions of people today who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ.
But what does that term really mean?
Does it mean simply believing in Him?
No.
It means so much more than just being a believer.
Being a Christ follower means obeying His teachings and commands, and as best we can, following His examples and way of life. Live as He lived and love as He loved. Do what He did, and don't do what He didn't do.
Obviously we won't do that 100% perfectly this side of Heaven. But that should be our aim.
I believe the reason there is so much division today among Christians is we're so distracted and even freaking out over many different issues that Christ and His Apostles didn't allow themselves to be distracted by.
Not to say that political and social issues are unimportant.
But why did God put us on this planet?
What is our primary, overarching purpose and mission as followers of Christ?
While you are considering your response picture yourself standing at the Judgment Seat of Christ for believers, where we all will give an account to Him of all the deeds we did in our body as Christians, both good and bad.
Picture yourself having to give an account to The Lord Jesus Christ of why you spent so much time and energy fighting with people over politics and other worldly issues when sharing the Gospel and pointing people to Him was left undone or neglected.
How will you explain to Him why you let yourself become so distracted and divided over non-eternal issues?
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10)
That's really all that needs to be said.
—God is Love and Love Never Fails.
