FOLLOWING THE STEPS OF JESUS: THE PATHWAY TO GOD’S HONOR, TRANSFORMATION, AND ETERNAL PURPOSE By: Major Frank Materu
Key Scripture
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
Romans 8:29
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Introduction
God’s greatest desire for every believer is not merely religious activity, outward appearance, or participation in church programs. His desire is transformation. He desires a people who are formed into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ, and who faithfully walk in the same path of surrender, obedience, humility, and love.
Many people desire the blessings of Christ but reject the pattern of Christ. They want comfort without sacrifice, promises without obedience, and salvation without surrender. However, the true calling of Christianity is not to create a better version of ourselves according to human expectations. It is to become what God has purposed us to be through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus did not come only to save people from sin; He came to reveal the life that pleases God. His earthly walk demonstrated complete submission to the Father’s will. He showed humility when He had authority, love when He was rejected, forgiveness when He was wounded, and obedience even when obedience required suffering.
The believer who desires God’s honor must understand this truth: God honors those who honor His Son. The pathway to divine approval is found in following Jesus completely. The question is not whether we carry the name “Christian,” but whether our lives reflect the character, heart, and obedience of Christ.
The world has created many versions of Christianity, but God is calling His people back to the true Christ revealed in Scripture. He is calling believers away from superficial religion and into genuine fellowship with Him through the Holy Spirit.
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The Call to Follow the Pattern of Jesus
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God does not call believers merely to admire Jesus; He calls them to follow Him. Discipleship means allowing Christ to become the pattern for our thoughts, attitudes, decisions, and actions.
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
Matthew 16:24
Following Jesus requires surrender. It requires a person to abandon the rule of self and submit to the authority of God. The natural human desire is to preserve comfort, protect personal interests, and avoid difficulties. Yet Jesus demonstrated that obedience to God’s will is more important than personal convenience.
Christ’s entire life was an expression of surrender. He did not seek His own glory but the glory of the Father. He did not live according to human approval but according to divine purpose.
“For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.”
John 6:38
A true disciple follows the same pattern. Such a person does not ask, “What benefits me most?” but rather, “What pleases God most?” This change of focus separates genuine followers of Christ from those who only carry religious labels.
God is not looking for people who imitate Christianity externally while remaining unchanged internally. He is looking for hearts completely surrendered to Him.
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The False Jesus and the True Christ
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One of the greatest dangers of this generation is the creation of a Jesus who agrees with human desires but does not transform human hearts. Many people prefer a comfortable Jesus who demands nothing, corrects nothing, and confronts nothing.
However, the true Jesus is both Savior and Lord. He forgives sin, but He also calls people out of sin. He offers grace, but He also commands obedience. He comforts the broken, but He also challenges the rebellious.
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”
Luke 6:46
A false understanding of Jesus produces false discipleship. People may claim to follow Christ while continuing to surrender their lives to worldly values, personal desires, and human approval.
The real Jesus calls for complete devotion. He does not ask for a portion of our hearts; He requires everything.
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”
Matthew 22:37
The believer must examine whether he is following the Jesus of Scripture or merely a version created by culture. The true Christ leads people into holiness, obedience, sacrifice, and eternal life.
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Surrendering Self to Become What God Desires
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God is not interested in religious performance without heart transformation. He does not desire people who simply act spiritual while their hearts remain distant from Him.
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.”
Matthew 15:8
True Christianity begins when a person surrenders self completely to God. This surrender means allowing God to change our ambitions, desires, priorities, and attitudes.
Many people struggle because they want Christ and the world simultaneously. They desire eternal life but also want to maintain control over their own lives. Yet Jesus made it clear that following Him requires putting God first.
“Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”
Luke 14:33
This does not mean every believer must abandon all possessions or responsibilities. It means nothing can occupy a higher position than God. Family, career, success, relationships, and personal dreams must all remain under God’s authority.
When Christ becomes first, everything else finds its proper place.
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The Role of the Holy Spirit in the Believer’s Life
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No person can successfully follow Jesus through human strength alone. The Christian life requires the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is not merely an influence or religious experience. He is God’s presence working within believers to transform them into the image of Christ.
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things.”
John 14:26
Every believer needs daily dependence upon the Holy Spirit. Without His guidance, people easily follow emotions, worldly pressures, and human reasoning.
The Holy Spirit searches the heart, reveals areas needing change, strengthens believers during trials, and directs them into truth. A person who ignores the Holy Spirit eventually becomes spiritually insensitive.
The believer must begin each day with surrender, asking God for wisdom, strength, and the mind of Christ.
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 2:5
The mind of Christ produces humility, obedience, compassion, and spiritual maturity.
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Rejecting Worldliness and Maintaining Consecration
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The greatest battle for many believers is not knowing God’s will but choosing to obey it. The world constantly competes for attention. Entertainment, ambitions, possessions, and human approval can slowly replace devotion to God.
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
1 John 2:15
Many people give God only the remaining portion of their time and energy. They offer Him what is left after pursuing personal goals. Yet God deserves first place.
Jesus taught that seeking God’s Kingdom must become the highest priority.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Matthew 6:33
A consecrated believer does not allow the world to define identity, success, or purpose. Such a person understands that earthly achievements are temporary, but obedience to God has eternal value.
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Remaining Faithful as the Bride of Christ
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The relationship between Christ and His Church is compared to a bride and bridegroom. This picture reveals love, commitment, purity, and faithfulness.
“For I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 11:2
A bride prepares herself for the bridegroom. Likewise, believers must keep their hearts pure and remain faithful to Christ.
Following Jesus requires consistency. It is not enough to begin with passion and later return to worldly ways. God desires believers who remain faithful until the end.
“Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
Revelation 2:10
The faithful believer does not constantly look back at what was surrendered for Christ. Instead, he rejoices because knowing Christ is greater than anything left behind.
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Summary
God honors those who follow the pattern of His Son, Jesus Christ. True discipleship requires surrender, obedience, humility, and daily dependence upon the Holy Spirit.
The believer must reject false versions of Christianity that seek comfort without transformation. The true Christ calls people into holiness, sacrifice, and complete devotion.
God is not seeking religious performers but transformed sons and daughters who reflect His character in this generation.
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Conclusion
The greatest privilege a person can have is to walk with God and become like Christ. The journey may include sacrifice, challenges, and suffering, but it leads to eternal reward.
Those who follow Jesus faithfully will discover that nothing surrendered for God is ever wasted. Every act of obedience, every sacrifice, and every step of faith is remembered by Him.
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Call to Action
Today, examine your heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything that has taken God’s place. Surrender your desires, ambitions, and plans completely to Him.
Do not follow a convenient Christianity. Follow Jesus as He truly is. Walk in obedience, embrace transformation, and allow Christ to be formed in you.
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Final Word of Encouragement
God is calling you into a deeper relationship with Him. He has not called you to be a copy of the world but a reflection of Christ.
Remain faithful. Remain surrendered. Remain close to Jesus.
The same God who called you is faithful to complete the work He has begun in you.
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:6
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Salvation Prayer
Heavenly Father, I come before You in humility and surrender. I acknowledge that I am a sinner and that I need Your grace.
I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son, that He died for my sins, and that He rose again from the dead.
Today, I repent and turn away from my old ways. Lord Jesus, I receive You as my Savior and Lord. Transform my heart, guide my life, and fill me with Your Holy Spirit.
Help me to follow Your footsteps, obey Your Word, and live a life that honors You.
Make me faithful until the end and prepare me for Your eternal Kingdom.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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