FOLLOWSHIP

 

FOLLOWSHIP

 

  Jeremiah [MKJV] 17:7-10 Blessed is the man who trusts in Jehovah, and Jehovah is his trust. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters; it sends out its roots by the river, and it shall not fear when the heat comes, but its foliage shall be green; and he is not worried in the year of drought, nor will it cease from yielding fruit. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I Jehovah search the heart, I try the reins, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings. [Ps.1; Pr.28:26]

  Romans 12:1-3 I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to every one who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think. But set your mind to be right-minded, even as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith. 

 

  I have not misspelled today’s title. Word-based followship being essential in facilitating the claim of Philippians 4:13. There is however the all to common alternative of “Follow your heart.” The choice being individual, and often making for groups of *like-minded misguided individuals; alone or as a crowd stumbling along the rocky path of life. And if unchanged, ending in the direst of places.

  Judas and Peter being contrastive examples.

  Judas didn’t follow the Word. He followed his heart. In sorrowing he could have repented, instead choosing a worldly escape.

  Peter followed his heart, then repented and truly followed the Word. Doing so he became a world changer for many unto this day and shall for yet more as his words point others to follow the Word.

  Hear the One that leads not astray: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. … I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away. And every one that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bring forth more fruit. Now you are clean through the Word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered. And they gather and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” (Mt.4:19b; Jn.15:1-6)

EBB4

 

*Like-minded as in when we allow our feelings to drive our thinking.