A life that only believes in and follows Jesus
Life that only believes in and follows Jesus is the core of the Christian faith, which means aligning the lifestyle and purpose of every believer with Jesus Christ. This kind of life goes beyond simple religious practices and includes a whole-person devotion to following the teachings and example of Jesus in daily life.
1. Foundation of faith: faith in Jesus
1) Assurance of salvation
- Accepting Jesus as your Savior : Accepting Jesus as your Savior and believing that he forgave our sins through his death on the cross and resurrection is the foundation of faith.
- Grace of Salvation : Salvation is not obtained through human merit or actions, but is a gift given only by the grace of God. When we believe in and accept this grace, we can have assurance of salvation.
2) Confession of faith
- Confession of Faith : The confession that “Jesus is my Lord” is the starting point of every Christian’s life. Through this confession, we establish a relationship with Jesus and begin to follow Him.
2. Life of discipleship: following the teachings of Jesus
1) Obedience to the Word
- Reading and meditating on the Bible : The Bible is the word of God and contains the teachings of Jesus. It is important to read it, meditate on it, and practice its teachings in your daily life.
- Obedience to the Word : It is not enough to just hear and understand the teachings of Jesus; practicing and obeying them in real life is what true discipleship looks like.
2) Prayer life
- Importance of Prayer : Prayer is a means of communication with God, a time to express our needs, gratitude, and praise to God. Through a consistent prayer life, we can develop a more intimate relationship with Jesus.
- Example of Prayer : Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, and we should follow his example in prayer. The Lord's Prayer is a good example of prayer.
3. Love and service: Practicing Jesus’ love
1) Love your neighbors
- Commandment of Love : Jesus gave the commandment, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” This includes loving all people and caring for their needs.
- Practical love : Love is not just expressed in words, it must be shown in actions. It is important to help neighbors in need, serve, and practice sharing.
2) A life of service
- Jesus’ example : Jesus set an example of service by washing the feet of his disciples. We too must follow Jesus' example and serve others humbly.
- A life that humbles oneself : Service means a life attitude that humbles oneself and elevates others. This is true humility and dedication.
4. Guidance of the Holy Spirit: A life filled with the Holy Spirit
1) The power of the Holy Spirit
- Filled with the Holy Spirit : Living a life filled with the power of the Holy Spirit is essential to following Jesus. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses and enables us to discern God’s will.
- Fruit of the Holy Spirit : Living with the fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control is evidence of a life filled with the Holy Spirit.
2) Following the guidance of the Holy Spirit
- Obedience and Dependence : It is important to obey the guidance of the Holy Spirit and depend on Him for our thoughts and actions. When we live by the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit, we are better able to follow Jesus.
5. Suffering and Patience: A Trial of Faith
1) The meaning of suffering
- Suffering with Jesus : Life as a follower of Jesus can be accompanied by suffering and trials. However, these hardships are a process that makes us stronger and matures our faith.
- Patience and Hope : It is important to persevere even in hardships, hold on to God’s promise, and not lose hope.
2) Solidity of faith
- Growth through testing : Testing our faith makes us stronger and gives us a deeper understanding of God's will. Through this process, we gain greater faith and trust.
- Spiritual Battle : A life of faith is a series of spiritual battles. We must put on the full armor of God and fight using the sword of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God.
conclusion
A life that only believes in and follows Jesus is a life based on faith, practicing a life of discipleship, practicing love and service, and living according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This life is a way to become stronger through hardships and trials and to enjoy spiritual satisfaction and peace through a deep relationship with Jesus. This life goes beyond simple religious practices and includes a whole-person devotion to following the teachings of Jesus in daily life.