Christ-Followers

“Our Lamb has conquered; let us follow Him.”

Since its founding in 1457 the Moravian Church has emphasized following the example and teachings of Jesus. “We are,” said Brother Gregory, “… people who have decided once and for all to be guided only by the Gospel and example of our Lord, Jesus Christ and his holy apostles in gentleness, humility, patience, and love for our enemies.” Gregory (ca. 1420-1473), was a spiritual leader of the Moravian Church in its beginning decades. His words are all the more remarkable when one considers that when he wrote them he had been imprisoned and tortured by others who self-identified as Christians. Regardless of what they called themselves Gregory’s tormentors were not Christ-followers, for they did not emulate Jesus or follow his commandments. Jesus said:

In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.

Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits.

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.       

Matthew 7:12-21 (NRSV)

We don’t earn our way to salvation through good works. Yet having been gifted the cost of admittance through the narrow gate and presented the opportunity to make the journey towards eternal life it’s up to each of us to choose how we will respond. As Count Zinzendorf, patron of the Renewed Moravian Church wrote in his hymn of 1739:

My works of love and sacrifice,

although required, cannot suffice.

His precious blood alone has been

sufficient ransom for my sin.

Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf (1739).

Tr. Madeleine Forell Marshall (1994). ©1994 by Madeleine Forell Marshall

Jesus said: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15 (NRSV)

Do we – do you – believe/trust/love Jesus enough to follow him along the hard road that leads to eternal life? Will we keep Jesus’ commandments and be Christ-followers or will we be thorn-bushes, thistles, or even … wolves in sheep’s clothing?

This occasional blog is an exploration of putting Jesus’ teaching and example into practical application in our daily lives. Our Lamb has conquered; let us follow Him .