How to Follow Christ - What We Learned From Jesus

When people put their faith in Jesus, he would often say:  "Be my follower." ( Matthew 9:9,; 19:21) What is involved in being Jesus follower, that is, in being Christian?  Consider the answers to three key questions. 

How should you treat others?

A disciple of Jesus should follow the instructions on how to treat others.  For example, Jesus said: "All things, therefore, do unto others as you would want them to do unto you."  What if someone offends you?  Jesus said:  "Be about setting matters quickly with the one complaining against you."  He also told his followers:  "If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will will your Father forgive your trespasses." - MATTHEW 5:25; 6:15; 7:12.

To married individuals, Jesus gave this counsel: "You heard that it was said, 'You must not commit adultery.'  But I say to you that everyone that keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." A true Christian  allows Jesus' teaching to affect both his mind and his heart.

True Christian sacrifice their own comfort to help others.  Jesus was self-sacrificing. For example, during an exhausting preaching trip, Jesus and his apostles had no free time even to eat a meal!  So Jesus took them by the boat to a lonely place to rest, But people heard where he was going and ran ahead of him.  The Bible account says:  "On getting out, he saw a great crowd, but he was moved with pity for them, because they were as sheep without a shepherd.  And he started  to teach them many things."  (Mark 6:30-34)  You can imitate Jesus by doing what God asks of  you even though you may encounter difficulties.

Next time: How to Follow Christ - Why Should You Share the Good News?

From the jw.org publications