The Divine Pattern: Embracing Followership in Christ

In the rhythm of life, there’s a profound pattern woven into the fabric of our existence—a pattern that reflects not just our actions, but the heart and spirit driving them. This pattern is one of followership, a concept deeply embedded in the essence of Christianity. To be a follower of Christ isn’t merely about adhering to rules; it’s about embodying a way of life that transforms every aspect of our being, especially our hands, hearts, and heads. Imagine a life so captivated by a mission that it changes the core of who you are. This is the life of a true Christian, whose existence is radically altered by the gospel, the power of God unto salvation.

The gospel isn't just a historical account; it's a dynamic force, actively reshaping us from the inside out, rendering self-help strategies and temporary fixes insufficient. The centrality of Jesus in our lives empowers us to overcome the habits and behaviors that tether us to our old selves. But what does it truly mean to follow Christ? It means embracing a life of imitation, where every step we take is a step closer to the example set by Jesus. This journey of imitation is not about losing our identity but finding our true selves in the reflection of Christ. In the early church, as depicted in the Acts of the Apostles, we see a vibrant community of believers who lived out this radical transformation. They were a people marked by a profound commitment to the teachings of Jesus, engaging deeply with each other in fellowship, worship, and prayer. The pivotal event of Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit was poured out, illustrates the transformative power available to every believer. This wasn’t just a momentary event; it was the beginning of a new era in which the presence of God was intimately woven into the daily lives of His people.

The Holy Spirit didn’t just empower them for supernatural acts but enabled them to live out the gospel in practical, everyday ways. To follow Jesus means to engage in a community that mirrors the early church’s practices—devoted to teaching, to fellowship, to breaking of bread, and to prayer. It’s about a life lived in joyful obedience and heartfelt surrender, where our actions are not driven by duty but by love. In this life of followership, every Christian is called to be both a follower and a leader—leading by example. As we imitate Christ, we also become models for others, just as Paul urged his followers to imitate him as he imitated Christ. This chain of imitation forms a beautiful tapestry of discipleship that stretches across time and culture, continuing to grow and expand the kingdom of God. Yet, in our journey, we must be vigilant of the "imitation breakdown," where our lives no longer reflect the vibrant followership they are meant to. This breakdown is evident when our actions do not align with the teachings of Jesus, when our communities lack the unity and love prescribed in Scripture, and when our missions lose their grounding in the gospel. The call to Christian followership is a call to active engagement in the world, not as passive observers but as dynamic participants in God's redemptive plan. It is about making the teachings of Jesus tangible and real in every interaction and every relationship. By living out this call, we not only transform ourselves but also the world around us, making the kingdom of God visible and accessible to all who seek it.

To follow Christ is to enter into a life of profound transformation and purpose, a life that continually seeks to reflect the image of Jesus in every thought, word, and deed. It is a journey of constant growth, guided by the Holy Spirit, and rooted in the community of believers—driven not by mere human ambition, but by the divine calling to live out the love and truth of the gospel.

— AARON DININNY

[Multiply] Executive Director