Following Jesus

9 And God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. Genesis 17:9-11

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded[b] as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically[c] uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code[d] and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. Romans 2:25-29

When you first begin learning about the tradition of circumcision, it is as an understanding of obedience. For what ever actions are necessary to please God will require obedience. But obedience alone does not incorporate our full capacity as human beings. As those who desire to follow Him wholly will follow in body, heart, mind and spirit. Faith requires an activation of all these faculties and a covenant with God to follow.

The Spirit of God is something we are familiar with as followers of Jesus. But it was not always this way with those who did not have the fortune of seeing Him. They followed an invisible God, who in faith would seek Him in dreams, visions and events. We know Jesus, His Son, and the Spirit by which we live and follow Him. Yet, the Spirit was already present with mankind; hovering over the waters, taking men captive in heart, sharing wisdom and knowledge.

God asks us to follow Him. He asked Abram to sojourn with is father from the land of Ur and then to settle in the land of Canaan. He asks us to follow His Son in the path of salvation with Him in eternity. It is an act which requires faith in mind, body and Spirit. Following Jesus is a sojourning from this world into the next; from this reality into the fullness of reality. The act of sojourning began with Abraham and ends when we all make it to be with God in eternity.

How can we follow Jesus as the Lord has instructed?

1. Following begins with faith. This is simply taking a step toward what God has asked you to do. It is a step away from the comforts of home. It is a separation from what we are familiar with to that which God wants to reveal to us. Faith is simply walking with God. This was credited to Abraham as righteousness.

2. Following requires obedience. There will be many opportunities to get side tracked on our journey. It may be the luxuries of this life, the enticements of the world, or the lure of loving things other than God. But obedience is what will keep us on the path.

3. Following requires God's blessing. Even Abraham required a blessing from the Lord in order to follow him obediently. He needed supplies, provision, people, and support. God wants to give everything we need in order to make the journey with Him. The Holy Spirit is our comforter and He has been sent to us to help until Christ comes again.

Father,

Thank you for calling me and my family to follow you. It is not something that I anticipated nor is it something that I have prepared for. But I am so grateful that I received the invitation. May I bring others along with me on this journey to be with you.