Put Up or Shut Up

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Here’s a question that I’ve been asking myself lately…

What does it mean to follow Christ?

Now, I know that there are some typical answers to this question,
but they’ve really become more “church talk” than an actual lifestyle.

Here are a few practical examples of what following Christ look like when put into action…

Loving people that seem to not deserve and love.
Reaching out to help even when it seems to be really inconvenient.
Making Jesus a part of every part of our lives.
Not being afraid to step out on faith.
Really believing and LIVING as if nothing else matters.
Keeping eternity at the forefront of our minds.
Believing and LIVING like there is a literal hell.
Giving it all in determination to show others that they are important.

Luke 9:23 “Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”‘

Your thoughts…

What’s it mean to be a Christ follower?

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14 responses to “Put Up or Shut Up”

Bryan Entzminger

June 22

Primarily, to submit my life completely to the rule of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit until I am formed into the likeness of Jesus.

Secondarily, doing all of the things that bring glory to God and allow me and those around me to see his glory and enjoy him.

Those two, to me, lead to all of the practical things that make up a holy life, fashioned through repentance and forgiveness:

* Helping the poor and the oppressed
* Prayer, meditation, and study
* Corporate worship
* Turning my back on sin
* Renewing my mind with the perspective of eternity

And all the stuff you mentioned.

Reply
1. Jonathan Pearson
  
  June 22
  
  Good stuff. Submitting is the key. I think we too often know, but fail to submit.
  
  Reply
Joe Sewell

June 22

Ouch! Can’t disagree with any of it, though nobody should feel condemned if they don’t match up (since these ar fruit, not any sort of “works” that save us).

Pardon me while I pray that my toes you stepped on heal. :)

Reply
1. Jonathan Pearson
  
  June 22
  
  You’re exactly right. No doubt we can NEVER be good enough… Just trying to be better. Hope those toes are feelin better. :)
  
  Reply
Steve Grossman

June 22

To NOT live like we’re pretending He’s holy and we’re not. And boy do I need to get better at that!

Reply
Dusty Rayburn

June 22

God has really been working on me lately to Be His and not just Say I am.

Good stuff Jonathan!

Reply
1. Jonathan Pearson
  
  June 22
  
  Dude, He is always speaking to me about this. I can’t earn His love, but I can appreciate it enough to let it change my life. Thanks for the comment, Dusty!
  
  Reply
Benjamin

June 22

I agree with each point, but if you are a part of a growing body of believers then these will be a part of your life. If we are obedient to His call and vision and passionate about our relationship with the Father then we will truly be a beacon of hope to those around us.

Reply
1. Joe Sewell
  
  June 22
  
  You bring up a very important point, Benjamin. All of this is fruit of dedication to Christ. None of it saves you, and I would even add that you cannot judge someone else’s salvation based on whether that person is doing all of these or not. (After all, a newly-planted tree doesn’t bear fruit immediately, and even a well-established tree has seasons of the year, and whole years, where it will bear no fruit.)
  
  Reply
  1. Kim
    
    June 22
    
    (After all, a newly-planted tree doesn’t bear fruit immediately, and even a well-established tree has seasons of the year, and whole years, where it will bear no fruit.)
    
    Wow! Beautifully stated! I needed to read that, I am a sappling in my faith and sometimes beat myself up for not bearing huge amounts of fruit immediately. Thank you for the reminder that I need to give myself time to grow in Christ before I will produce abundantly.
    
    Reply
Danielle Brower

June 22

This is a great post, Jonathan. I love the topic & to be able to discuss it in real terms (not christianese) is freeing.

I came across a saying by Mother Teresa a few months back. I even did a post about it on my blog. Here’s the quote, “The dying, the crippled, the mentally ill, the unwanted, the unloved — they are Jesus in disguise… Through the poor people I have an opportunity to be 24 hours a day with Jesus.”

Isn’t that powerful? To me, this DEFINES what it means to follow Christ. Seeing the world as Jesus in Disguise. We are not Jesus to them. They are Jesus to us, as we serve them, we are serving Jesus. What joy there is in that!

Yet, what sacrifice as well. Following Jesus is not a self-serving religion, but a relationship of giving & loving those who are terribly disguised as Him.

Again thanks for this post! I love it!

Reply
1. Jonathan Pearson
  
  June 22
  
  Wow. Good stuff. Thanks for sharing!
  
  Reply
David Tonen

June 22

Trust.

Easy to say. Incredibly difficult to do.

We often can say we trust Jesus with our mouths, We can even believe it intellectually. Where the rubber meets the road is whether deep inside our souls we actually trust that He will meet all our needs (not wants) and that He has a great and perfect plan for our lives.

I have lived this for the past two years. It has taken me 2 years to completely trust.

Reply
1. Jonathan Pearson
  
  June 22
  
  Wow! So true. What do you do when it really matters? Good stuff!
  
  Reply

JONATHAN | PEARSON

Put Up or Shut Up

14 responses to “Put Up or Shut Up”

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