FAITH CAPSULE:Operating Jesus’ name does not identify one as a follower of Jesus.

Luke 9:23-36, 57-62
 
Many who claim to follow Jesus could possibly just be flowing with Him. Flowing with Jesus and being a part of the crowd is about the same.
Following Jesus is a calling that demands the whole being of the called. Following Jesus is costly. Jesus was speaking about following Him when He stated,“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?” (Luke 9:23-25)
Following Jesus is not by force, but by making a choice if it is of one’s desire. The challenging part is that it demands for one to deny self and engage in carrying the cross. It requires daily going about the business of God rather than one’s own business. It is not about carrying the cross only when it is convenient. Following Jesus can become a life threatening endeavor that often demands seeking for a way of saving one’s life. However, desires to save one’s life should be totally hanged on the hope for salvation from Jesus. Following Jesus is without any doubt profitable more than any worldly profit. In following Jesus, it is impossible to fall short of the glory of God.
What it means to be flowing with Jesus is evident in the case of the non-follower who engaged himself in casting out demons in Jesus name. The disciples went and reported to Jesus saying,“Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.”(Mark 9:38)  Operating in the name of Jesus being not a follower of Jesus was forbidden by His disciples. In response to His disciples He said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.For he who is not against us is on our side.” (Mark 9:39-40) Going by Jesus’ response, it is safe to say that operating Jesus’ name does not identify one as a follower of Jesus. It could be one that received Him but not believe in Him or one that believed in Him but did not receive Him into their life. Those who fully receive Him and believe in Him will no doubt answer to the calling of daily living by the Word of God.
Following Jesus is a full-time commitment. Following Jesus requires daily living the Word of God. Flowing with Him can be that of convenience and not of commitment. Are you following or flowing with Jesus?
 
Prayer for today:Ask God for the grace to follow Him fully.