The making of an effective minister – Part 2

False followers of Jesus Christ do not exalt the kingdom principles and projects higher than self, and do not give priority to spiritual service and gospel preaching, as the Lord commands. While false followers engage in things that do not have eternal value, true followers of Christ are to distinguish themselves by doing God’s bidding, despite all odds. False followers are not able to withstand the heat of persecution, as they lack the will to stand in days of trials.

Faithful and fearless followers of Christ are those who are yielded to Him. They are people who do not dread His melting fire. They are people who appreciate the moulding hand of God; they are people who love the mending, correcting hand of the Lord and even go further to pray for the removal of the rough edges that do not allow them to fit into the divine mould.

Faithful disciples are those who are following in Christ’s footsteps. They are people who are ready to pay any price to follow Christ. They are people who close their ears to the noise of the world to get the attention of the voice of Christ. They are people who are not easily distracted by persecutors. They are people who have broken the chain that tied them to the world.

The only thing that catches their attention is Christ. What Christ will make of them will be their waking thought, daily plan, sleeping imagination and motivation. They always remember Christ’s command, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men”. Whatever conflicts with that command is given up. They may be few or many, but He uses them to change the whole world.

God is always interested in people who follow wholeheartedly. They are those who make the Kingdom of God, its projects and principles their first consideration in spite of distractions. The Lord demands that we leave all to follow Him. Like Peter, faithful, fearless followers “have left all, and have followed thee.”

True followers of Christ are fruitful. Through a single message of theirs, thousands of people are converted and added to the body of Christ. For them, there is power to evangelise, heal, pray and bring heaven’s treasure down. There is power of deliverance and release, power of converting religious people.

Made a fisher of men, anywhere Peter went, sinners got saved, the oppressed got delivered, and the power of death disappeared. While Peter was still speaking in Cornelius’ house, the Holy Spirit came upon the people. This is applicable to all who are faithful, fearless followers of Christ today. You are the next candidate for fruitfulness as you obey the Lord’s command to “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Further Reading (King James Version): Matthew 4:19. Luke 9:57-61. Mark 10:28. Matthew 4:19.

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