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A Look At Followers And Leaders

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Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles

Generally speaking, few people enjoy following someone else. However, if there is to be any successful group effort, someone is going to have to take the lead. This implies that everyone else in the group must be willing to follow the leader. Being a successful follower is far more difficult than one might think. Successful followers must put their full trust and confidence in their leader to go where he leads, despite any possible conflict or danger (Psalm 37:3-5; Proverbs 3:5-6; John 10:11-15).

If an unwise leader makes incorrect decisions which result in disaster, the whole group will experience that disaster as well (Matthew 15:14). As Christians, we can rejoice, because we have the most successful leader known to man — our Lord Jesus Christ. In matters of religion, He is the only One that deserves a true “following” (not parents – Matthew 10:37; nor preachers – 1 Corinthians 3:3-7), for the simple reason that He has “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18 ESV).

Successfully following Christ means to:

  • Accept His leadership (John 10:1-4).
  • Obey His precepts (John 10:9; cf. John 14:15; John 15:14; 1 John 5:3).
  • Imitate His example (1 Peter 2:21-25; 1 John 2:1-6).

It’s one thing to take the initial steps in becoming a Christian, and quite another thing to be willing to go as far as He requires (cf. Matthew 16:24; cf. Acts 14:22; 2 Timothy 3:12; Revelation 2:10).

The successful follower does not complain, make excuses, or lag behind in his duties and responsibilities. He is always ready and eager to “listen” to the leader’s instructions, following him wherever he might lead (John 10:3-4).

Since we do not always know the proper way to go in life (Jeremiah 10:23; Proverbs 16:25), we must be willing to follow the One who does (John 14:6).

When we fully understand that heaven is our destination, and admit that we do not know how to get there by ourselves (John 6:66-68), then doesn’t it makes perfect sense to commit ourselves to following our successful Leader who has already made that journey? (2 Timothy 1:10-12; 1 Peter 4:19; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1).

Let’s think about it!

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