10 Signs of a Jesus Follower

Anyone who’s spent any time on the Internet knows there is a growing sentiment of hatred towards religion. Spend a few moments perusing Digg or the Huffington Post and you’ll find droves of people decrying the evils of religion, religious thought or faith in general. In fact, one of the most common forms of this criticism is a bait-and-switch argument that equates Islamic fundamentalism with Christian fundamentalism and then denounces them both. It’s this sort of thinking that I want to address in this journal entry. This is by no means a systematic theology, but it is a simple breakdown of the basic teachings of Jesus, taken from his sermon in Matthew 5 through 7.

1. A follower of Christ looks for complete satisfaction in heaven. The comfort or peace we have in this life comes from our hope of reward in the next. So if we mourn in this life, if we hunger and thirst, if we are lowly, if we are merciful, if we do not fight, if we endure persecution—in other words, if we do not find complete satisfaction in this life—we have hope for resolution in the hereafter. That’s why faith is an essential part of being a Christian; you are hoping in something that has not yet come. Matthew 5:1-11

2. A follower of Christ influences the world around them. Specifically, Jesus said that we are to be salt (a preservative) and light (guidance). Those that expect Christians to bury their heads in the sand or hide their beliefs beneath the floorboards have a fundamental misunderstanding of our calling. Matthew 5:17-20

3. A follower of Christ doesn’t indulge in anger, lust, divorce, lying or retaliation. In fact, Jesus specifically says that we are to love those that do wrong to us. He even goes so far as to say that if someone tries to misuse us, we are to offer them more. Remember, Jesus himself was falsely accused and put to death for doing nothing wrong. Matthew 5:21-48

4. A follower of Christ is not a hypocrite. We are to give to those in need and pray often, but we should do so without calling attention to ourselves. Anyone giving, praying or fasting in such a way that draws attention to themselves would be like a Pharisee, the group of people that Jesus spoke out against most harshly. Matthew 6:1-18

5. A follower of Christ does not serve money. This goes back to the idea that our hope is not found in this life. Whatever holds value for us holds our heart. If that value is in our bank account, our hope is placed in the fragile hands of a bank or an earthly institution. Anyone who values money more than people is not following Christ in that regard. Matthew 6:19-24

6. A follower of Christ is not consumed by worry. This is overlooked by many who claim to follow Christ. Jesus rebuked his disciples for being afraid in a boat on the stormy seas. If our hope is found in something beyond this life, we should not be shaken no matter the circumstances. This is referred to in other parts of scripture as peace that passes all understanding. Matthew 6:25-34

7. A follower of Christ deals with problems in his own life before trying to deal with other people’s problems. Far too many people try to pass judgement on someone else while being blind to their own sins. Deal with your own demons before trying to cast them out of someone else. Matthew 7:1-6

8. A follower of Christ trusts in and depends on him. The theme of future hope resurfaces near the end of the sermon. The promise of good to come helps us endure what may be a not-so-good present. Matthew 7:7-11

9. A follower of Christ treats people the way he would want to be treated. Some have called this the Golden Rule. It could best be summarized as the climax of the sermon; in fact, Jesus himself says that this simple rule encapsulates all of the Law and the Prophets. Interestingly enough, he follows up the Golden Rule by reminding us that it is a path that few take; but it does lead to life. Matthew 7:12-13

10. A follower of Christ is genuine and discerning. Jesus warned about people who would claim to represent him but didn’t actually live as a follower of Christ; he called them ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing. He makes the chilling statement than not all who wear the Christian name tag are actually on the guest list. Further evidence that one of the things Jesus hated most was hypocrisy. Matthew 7:15-27

Jesus concludes the sermon with a poignant story about two men: one who built his house on a rock, the other who built on sand. When the storm came, the house with no solid foundation was washed away. I couldn’t think of a better illustration to convey the purpose of this sermon. These principles are foundational; they shape who I am and how I live my life. I’d be fine without them, just as the man who built on the sand probably had some really good days showing off his beach front property; but when the storms come—and they will come—it is the solid foundation that keeps me from being swept away.

Some will argue that people have done terrible things in the name of Christ. And while it is true that people wearing the name tag have committed unspeakable acts, they did so in violation of the clear and basic principles he taught. The selfless, sacrificial message of Jesus stands in stark contrast to the dark, violent actions of those do not truly follow him.

  • posted on 7 January 2008
  • by Jesse

InterAction:

22 November 20082. Tricia:

I was expecting snark, but this is the best summation of what I consider real Christianity that I've ever seen. Thanks Jesse

23 November 20083. anthonyberet:

Shouldn't the title be '10 signs that there aren't many Jesus followers'?

1 January 20094. Jordan:

A very good list. Like Tricia up there, I was expecting some snarky list of undesirable things about "Christians," and I have never been happier to be wrong!

Thank you for this guiding instruction.

1 January 20095. terry:

I would take exception with #3 ; in part that a Divorce is an life event and not a mark of loss with the Savior. I facilitate a DivorceCare group and we don't shoot our wounded.

5 January 20096. Mark:

Let me know when the Pope or Rick Warren, or George Bush, or any of the other public Christians begin following ANY of your 10 points.

5 January 20097. Jesse Gardner:

MarK: Guess I don't count as a public Christian, huh?

8 January 20098. Stu:

Waht is one doesn't score a perfect ten on this?

9 January 20099. mary:

let us not forget that we Are saved by the blood of Jesus.

1 March 200910. yarjt:

i was expecting a bash on christians, like most links are that i click on when i am googling looking for good stuff to read, i am a brand new christian and am very saddened that there is so much negative bias about christians... but the bible did say that the world will hate us, it sure does

11 March 200911. Bronson:

Well written Bro. Thanks

11 March 200912. Bronson:

Well written Bro. Thanks

13 March 200913. andy:

Well said...

4 May 200914. Korinthian:

A follower of Christ can also drink poison and handle snakes.

Funny how you people always seem to forget that.

7 May 200915. SayBlade:

"indulge in ... divorce?" Really? I never knew divorce was an indulgence. Is it like chocolate?

7 May 200916. Jesse Gardner:

@SayBlade » "indulge: to allow (oneself) unrestrained gratification." When you take away restraints in order to obtain gratification, I'd call that indulgence.

31 May 200917. jacob:

I remember when i was trying to satify Jesus with my good works and found that i could never please the all perfect God, which cause me to want not to be a christian because i could never be perfect. God then showed me that He came to please me and that he accepts me just as i am while he processes my new found life in Him. Now i can follow him cause it is not i who lives but Christ who lives in me.

28 June 200918. Jesus Follower:

I think, to the person who mentioned blood sacrifice, that one can believe in Jesus and follow him fully and yet not believe in the blood atonement, which is one of the Paul of Tarsus attachments of Christianity, not a part of the teachings of Jesus. I think the misleading story of a creator's demand for the slaying of his own human incarnated self, along with a Virgin Birth and some other additions to the simple truth of who and what Jesus was and became are what the author is really trying to convey. In other words, why would it be necessary for one all powerful to be slain in order to be savior to mankind? My conclusion is that Christianity is a mixture of the true teachings mostly about and partly OF the life and purpose of Jesus and the additional thoughts of human writers. To bring about a fellowship of believers was the best intention of Christianity, but it is my view and obviously that of many others that the Christian way has not entirely been in keeping with the way of one who believes in god and is a Jesus Follower.

20 July 200919. MBill:

#11. A follower of Christ is imperfect and will never be without sin in this life. He is forgiven and is humbled by the gift of grace given by God.

31 July 200920. Robyn:

I appreciate how thoughtful you are with your words. I am not a Christian, in fact, I'm agnostic, but I am someone who makes every attempt to respect others. Your tone is very kind and sensible, but sadly it's a rarity to me. So much Christian commentary that reaches my ears is laden with judgment and self-righteousness, which is just very off-putting. I know that Christians such as yourself do exist, but if I may speak for many non-believers—we don't meet enough people like you. I'm disappointed with the reference to the media and Huffington Post, and commentary that takes easy refuge in assuming non-Christians hate Christians. Assumptions, by nature, are not clear perceptions. Hopefully, one can see through what might seem hateful, to the basic and positive ideas that people are trying to convey. I do this when I happen across Fox news, Sarah Palin, etc... Though I disagree with much of their method of communication, I make a concerted effort to see what it is that they are trying to protect and care for and make better in this world and find commonality in that.

20 August 200921. Brenda:

Excellent - Thanks for being a light! God bless you, Brenda

28 August 200922. Dan:

Just wanted to say that I'm a new Christian and your piece was just what I needed. Thanks heaps :)

10 January 201023. Jim Sadler:

What is the Christian community to do about false leaders who are all over our TV and radio stations promising people extensive monetary wealth and health if the will only donate money to their so called ministries?
It is my opinion that these corrupted leaders are a far worse danger to the faith than the Romans with their lions and fires ever were. These people are giving all Christians a bad public image and the problem is growing. I even know ministers in good churches that will avoid the discussion of wealth and poverty as they fear emptying the church if they teach the faith.
Many people fail to notice that Christ was a revolution and following him still remains a kind of revolution against society as we know it.

YourThoughts?


(Minutia)

This entry was written by Jesse on Monday, January 7, 2008 at 7:11 AM and appears in the Savior chapter. The previous article was entitled, "Smokey And The Toxic Fumes", and the next entry is called, "The Man For The Job". Bookmark the permalink, save it to del.icio.us or Digg it.

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