False notions on how to follow Jesus

False notions on how to follow Jesus

COMMENT:

To follow the Lord there is more to it than just faith. It takes action to prove our compliance - to become a disciple it’s a requirement to be baptised, fully immersed with water. Think of how Jesus was baptised. Afterwards he set the standard - he said pick up your cross and follow me, meaning surrender your life to Jehovah. He spent his last 3 and a half years preaching and teaching.

He warned his disciples that false Prophets would emerges and teach false doctrine and said that we should avoid them. So, we need to be on the watch because Satan does use contaminated doctrine to delude us.

ANSWER to correct these false notions:

If you read James 1:1, you will see that James addresses his epistle to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad. This is in reference to the 12-tribes of Israel who were scattered, some years earlier due to the persecution initiated by Saul (Paul). Thus, the doctrine of this epistle, and that of all the other epistles from Hebrews onwards, is NOT addressed to, or for application by the Body of Christ. The Body of Christ has its own apostle, Paul, Rom 11:13, and its own doctrine, the 13-epistles of Paul.

How do we 'look to Jesus'?

BLOG COMMENT: Look to Jesus

It helps when we look to Jesus Christ daily to help us lay aside every weight (provision for the flesh) as well as the sin in walking in the light in fellowship with the Father & the Son. Especially in our thoughts, we need to lean on Him to stop the wicked thoughts and stop playing with desires in our minds to think on good things.

RESPONSE:

Thanks for your informed comment and its advice. I do want to react on a specific phrase in your comment which I believe is important to understand in the context of ‘looking to Jesus daily’.

Your comment says, “when we look to Jesus Christ daily…”

How do we ‘look to Jesus’? This phrase typically means that we follow or imitate Christ according to what He has taught us in scripture. In other words, we don’t look to Jesus by following traditions or ordinances, nor by being molded to a specific church creed or identity. No. We look to Jesus by looking into His Word. The only way we can grow in Him, learn of Him, and become like Him, is to study His Word and allow it to change our mind and our actions in accord to obedience to it.

DM#23: Be ye followers of me

Doctrine of the Mysteries #23

Be ye followers of me

1Co 1:11-12  For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.  (12)  Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

There are two points to extract from verse 12. The first is a truth that babes in Christ will incline to outward attractions over spiritual truth. The second is a yearning that people would choose to follow Paul, or more accurately, Paul’s doctrine, than that of Apollos, or Cephas (Peter), or the earthly ministry of Christ. Let me elaborate on both points.

Studying Scripture by Application of Right Division (2Cor 5:16)

Studying Scripture by Application of Right Division (2Cor 5:16)

When a person takes time to study the Bible, that study will ultimately result in the need to rightly divide, (2Tim 2:15). This cannot be avoided! As one cross-references scripture, it will lead one into both the prophetic and mystery programs, according to the intent and design of God’s written Word. Right division is the only way to accurately interpret scripture by keeping these two programs separate and distinct. Let’s apply this instruction on the key verse below to understand its true context.

2Cor 5:16  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Yet now henceforth know we him no more

Yet now henceforth know we him no more

Paul writes to the Corinthians and says a startling thing in 2 Cor.5:16. He tells those in the church at Corinth that they should not know man after the flesh, and even though they knew Jesus in the flesh (at that time), they should know Him no more (in the flesh). I emphasize (in the flesh) because this is how we must understand Paul's statement. Paul is not saying we do not recognize Jesus' ministry, but he is saying we do not follow after the teachings and practices that Jesus taught in His earthly ministry, which were specific to Israel’s Kingdom program. Why?

Follow me as I follow Christ

All through the gospels, Jesus proclaimed, "Follow me ...". Here are a few examples, (Matt.4:19, Matt.9:9, Matt.16:24, Matt.19:21, Mark 8:34, Mark 10:21, Luke 9:23, Luke 18:22, John 10:27, John 12:26).

As one can deduce from these examples, the phrase wasn't so much an invitation to follow Him where ever He walked, but rather to copy Him in lifestyle, in attitude, in deeds and in manner. To become a disciple and imitate Him and devote ones life to His example. 

Not many people are aware however, that Paul also said, "Follow me ...". Let's have a look at an example,