ARE THERE ANY EVIDENCES THAT I AM A TRUE FOLLOWER OF THE LORD?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection 
and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death 
(Philippians 3:10)

MEDITATION:
As Christians, we, like Paul, should want to know all we can about Christ.
How can we claim to be followers of Christ, if we know very little about Him?
We need to know of His relationship with God, how He lived His life in 
human form, everything He did for mankind, and of course, His characteristics.

Paul reminded the Galatians that before they became Christians, 
they did not know God.
In fact, they were slaves 
to the influences of the things that were not of God.
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those 
who by nature are not gods. (Galatians 4:8)

How many Christians today strive to learn all they can about Jesus?
If every Christian knew and adopted the characteristics of Jesus, 
how would the world be impacted?
More importantly, how would the church (which Jesus loved), be impacted?
For one thing, church attendance would be increasing instead of declining.

When Paul wrote to the Philippians, 
he encouraged them to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ 
Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God 
something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing 
by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And 
being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient 
to death—even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:5-8)

Additionally, he reminded them 
of the magnitude of the humbleness Jesus showed.
Although He is equivalent to God, 
rather than using His status to separate Himself from others, 
He chose instead to humble Himself and become equivalent to mankind.

His humility was shown in His obedience, 
which carried Him all the way to the cross.
He not only died for those who worship and follow Him, but He also 
died for those who opposed Him and denied His position as God’s Son.

What does it mean to be humble?
For one thing, being humble means we know what we don’t know.
In other words, when we are humble, we are willing to admit our weaknesses.

ACTION:
If you are a genuine Christian then your life has been dramatically changed.
Look at Zacchaeus as an example of a changed person.
He was a little man with a little heart who was consumed with selfishness.
But when Jesus changed him, he developed a big heart and lost his selfishness.
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I 
give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out 
of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” (Luke 19:8)

Jesus confirmed the salvation of Zacchaeus.
Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, 
because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man 
came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:9-10)

How much time do you spend trying to know more about Jesus?
How much success are you having with your efforts to become a humble person, 
like Jesus (the One you are following)?
Jesus exchanged His equivalency with God to become equivalent to mankind.
You will never take the quantum leap to humbleness that He did,
but when you have His mindset, you too will become a humble person.

How has He humbled your heart and attitude?
Are you showing obedience to God as Jesus did?
Here are two test questions regarding obedience to God:
The scriptures tell us to ‘not forsake meeting together’...do you attend church?
The scriptures tell us to ‘bring God our tithes and offerings’...do you tithe?
God says that when you choose not to tithe, you are robbing Him 
(that is not a characteristic of a follower of Jesus Christ).

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, help me to develop the mindset of Your Son, 
Jesus. Teach me how to follow His example of becoming humble 
and obedient. Forgive me for any selfishness and lack of obedience 
that prevents me from becoming more like Jesus.”

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