Following Jesus is the foundation of Christianity

"Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him." (John 12:25-26)

This biblical exhortation highlights that following Jesus is the foundation of Christianity, as discipleship is not just a theory, but a shared destiny with the Master.

Jesus as the Only Way

Every person follows someone or something - if nothing else, then their own plans, feelings, and desires. Everyone has aims and a certain path in life. Many religions offer unique paths, and today the number of different churches and groups called Christian is increasing.

But do all paths lead to the same destination? We believe that following Jesus is the foundation of Christianity and that it is the only one narrow gate and one narrow road that leads to life. Jesus said:

"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." (Matthew 7:13-14)

This gate is Jesus himself, who invites us to a life abundant with joy with him and with each other (John 15:11, 17:13). He is the door through which we find safety and “pasture”:

"I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:9-10)

He takes care of us and cares about us. He is the one who fulfils all our needs, who satisfies the weary soul. He calls the weary to himself so that they no longer carry their burdens alone:

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

The choice is ours. Not just anyone can get to God. This way is Jesus himself, the truth and the life:

"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”" (John 14:6)

Only through Jesus can we have eternal life (Acts 4:12) and walk in the light of life. John writes:

"The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world." (John 1:9)

Sin and Purification

Facing ourselves may not be easy, but clarity is beneficial. In him our souls find rest, because with him we can rest without sin. Whatever sin we are burdened with, if we honestly admit it, he can have mercy on us. Jesus points out our sins because he wants to cleanse us from all sin (1 John 1:5-2:2). Even if this does not seem pleasant for the moment (Hebrews 12:7-11), later the light of God will rejoice our hearts and fill our lives.

"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”" (John 8:12)

Those for whom following Jesus is the foundation of Christianity are not afraid of the light, because they know that repentance leads to true freedom.

Christian Life and Self-denial

God can only protect us from the power of darkness if we trust Jesus completely. Trusting in him, we can be victorious, but only as he overcame the world. If we walk with Jesus, we must be willing to share his destiny with him day by day - even in the scorn, humiliation, and persecution of the world.

"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?" (Luke 9:23-25)

If we take seriously that following Jesus is the foundation of Christianity, then we must be willing to daily self-denial and carry our cross.

• The Love of the World and the Exclusivity of Discipleship

Following Jesus requires total commitment. We cannot simultaneously cling to the selfish, materialistic world-view and the values ​​of Christ. Being a disciple means being willing to give up everything that would distance us from God’s deeper love (Luke 14:26-27). God sanctifies us through his Word, but only if we remain faithful to the Lord and persevere in his will to the end:

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life - is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:15-17)

• Sanctification and the Role of the Holy Spirit in the Lives of Christians

Sanctification is not an option, but God’s good plan for us (2 Corinthians 7:1) to be pure and happy. Only then can we see him face to face (1 John 3:2-3). The apostle Paul reminds us of this high calling:

"For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you." (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8)

Christian Community and Service

• The Inseparability of God's Love and Brotherly Love

As Christians, we must love one another as Jesus loved us, because following Jesus is the foundation of Christianity, and it is not just a suggestion, but a command (John 13:34-35, 15:12-17; Romans 13:8; 1 Peter 1:22-23). The true test of our love for God is the love we show for our brothers and sisters. We cannot separate the two. When we learn to live in brotherhood, carrying each other, the presence of God becomes tangible among us.

"If anyone says, “I love God”, and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him." (1 John 4:20-5:1)

"We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." (1 John 3:14-16)

• The Necessity of Complete Devotion

God dwells in us when we live for another as brothers and sisters. 

"Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us." (1 John 4:11-12)

When we are willing to serve (1 John 3:16) and dedicate our whole lives to him and to one another, following the example of Jesus (Mark 10:45), then our Christian life becomes authentic. The apostle Paul writes:

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5:1-2)

• Humility and Brotherly Equality in the Community

God gives us joy in sharing our daily lives and helping each other. In this community, there is no reason for us to be proud, since we are all on a journey and none of us has yet achieved perfection. Jesus also asks us not to consider ourselves better than others:

"But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23:8-12)

• Following Jesus' Example – Hearing and Acting

Those who follow Jesus ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. This standard is selfless love, integrity, humility, and sincerity. The apostle John writes:

"whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked." (1 John 2:6)

We receive true inner strength from the Lord for our commitment to him when we are able to let go of the things we have left behind and turn to him with our full attention:

"As they were going along the road, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”" (Luke 9:57-62)

The real goal awaits: to become like our Master, who said:

"A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher... Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great." (Luke 6:40.46-49)

Following Jesus means walking faithfully in his way and putting into practice what we hear from him. This is how his words become alive in our lives, as he himself called us to do:

"If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32)

Although many hear the call of Jesus, few take the path that leads to real life change. Many stop at the gate, but we believe and have experienced that this path leads to renewed, full life. And you don't have to walk this path alone.

If you join us, we can delve into the word of God together, share our experiences of faith, and encourage one another to follow Jesus Christ in our daily lives with ever greater confidence.