What does it look like to say you follow Jesus?

It should look like becoming more and more like Jesus in speech and action. According to Wikipedia, 2.4 Billion people in the world say they are Christians. It's easy to claim a title, but it's another to reflect that title.

As we contemplate the window we have into the disciples' lives through the Word, we can see the internal and external change that happened as they walked with Jesus. A by-product of their service was the lessons they learned that changed them inwardly. Those changes were then reflected outwardly in their speech and action. They went from following Jesus to reflecting Him to the world.

The more we understand who Jesus is and who we are in Christ, the more we reflect Him. Jesus wants more than our profession of faith. He wants our lives to be so intertwined with His that we are transformed into His image.

Christianity is more than a title; it is a relationship that transforms us. What I am saying does not negate Romans 10:9,13 which says, "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." However, I am saying that this salvation Jesus died to give us should have more than future relevance in our lives. Does your life reflect Christ to the world? Reflecting Christ is a continual process through a relationship with Him. It is a relationship of pursuit, surrender, obedience, faithfulness, action, and commitment. It is not one of perfection, but it is one of reflection as He brings revelation to areas of our lives that need transformation.

Don't just claim the title, reflect it. Receive all that salvation means in the present, and the future reward will take care of itself.