Following Jesus… What Does It Really Mean?

Following Jesus is not about adding Him to your life like a new habit or a better philosophy.

It’s about surrendering everything you are to become everything He calls you to be.

And that starts… with death.The death of your old self.The death of your ego, your pride, your mask, your secret addictions, your self-justifications.Jesus doesn’t call you to improve — He calls you to die… so He can give you life.

"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." — Luke 9:23

To follow Jesus is to walk the same road He walked.And that road leads to a cross.But here’s the paradox:Only the crucified get to be resurrected.Only those who lay everything

down get to pick up true life.

So what does it mean, daily?

FOLLOWING JESUS MEANS TRUSTING HIM BEFORE UNDERSTANDING

It means waking up and choosing to believe His way is better — even when it’s harder.

It means forgiving when everything in you wants revenge.

It means telling the truth when a lie would protect your image.

It means staying when your heart wants to run.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." — Proverbs 3:5

Following Jesus means walking by faith, not by feelings.

You may not always feel like obeying, forgiving, staying pure, or loving your enemy — but obedience isn’t about feelings.

It’s about faith in the One who sees the full picture.

FOLLOWING JESUS MEANS LISTENING TO HIS VOICE — DAILY

Not just on Sundays.

Not just when you’re in crisis.

But learning to walk with Him.

Talk with Him.

Hear His heart through the Word.

Sense His correction through the Holy Spirit.

Be sensitive to His whispers.

Because God isn’t silent.

We’re just distracted.

So following Jesus means slowing down enough to listen.

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." — John 10:27

If you’ve never heard His voice, open the Gospels.

You’ll hear Him speak.

If you’ve ignored His voice, repent.

And if you’ve confused

His voice with guilt and shame — remember:Jesus convicts, but never condemns.

He corrects, but never crushes.

He invites, even when we’ve failed Him a thousand times.

FOLLOWING JESUS MEANS LOVING WHAT HE LOVES

It means loving people who can’t love you back.

It means caring for the broken, the dirty, the overlooked.

It means speaking truth in love — not just for being right, but to set people free.

Jesus wasn’t impressed by religious performance. He was drawn to humility.

He didn’t celebrate rule-keepers — He embraced the repentant.

So following Jesus means letting go of the need to impress others…and letting your life become a reflection of His love.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." — John 13:34

FOLLOWING JESUS MEANS CARRYING YOUR CROSS

There is no Christianity without a cross.

No discipleship without sacrifice.

No resurrection without death.

The cross isn’t just the symbol of our salvation —it’s the shape of our life.

Every day, you’ll have to say no to something.

No to the flesh.

No to the world.

No to your pride.And yes… to Him.

"Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." — Luke 14:27

The cross doesn’t kill joy — it makes space for joy that can’t be stolen.

FOLLOWING JESUS MEANS BEING CHANGED BY HIM

You can’t stay the same if you walk with Jesus.

You may not change overnight — but if you're still the same person year after year,if you still hold on to the same sins, the same grudges, the same masks —then ask yourself:

Have I been walking in circles, or actually following Him?

"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory..." — 2 Corinthians 3:18

He doesn’t just want to save your soul.He wants to renew your mind, restore your heart, and redeem your life.

Following Jesus means letting Him rearrange your priorities, challenge your habits, expose your fears…and replace them with something far better: Himself.

Following Jesus isn’t easy.

But it’s worth everything.

Because when you walk with Him… you don’t just find purpose.

You find a Person.

And in Him —you find life.