O FOR MORE TRUE FOLLOWERS

Victor M. Eskew

 

            In this article, we are talking about followers.  We will define followers as “those who are willing to submit to leaders.”  Our thoughts will be centered upon the church, but the principles we will discuss hold true in every sphere wherein there is an organization with leaders and followers.  Our cry entitles our article:  “O for More True Followers.”

            God has organized the church in His wisdom.  Christ is the head of the church (Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18).  The elders are the overseers of the local congregations (Acts 20:28; I Pet. 5:1-3).  They have been given the authority to rule (I Tim. 5:17).  The members of the local church are the followers.  They are exhorted to obey and submit to the elders who rule over them (Heb. 13:17).  Again, we remind you of the title of our article:  “O for more true followers.”

            We use the word “true” for a reason.  There are some who say they are followers, but they feign being followers.  They are followers when it pleases them to be a follower.  They are followers who want to do their own things.  They are followers until they desire to be the leaders.  They are followers who want the leadership to follow them.  They are followers until the leaders make a decision they do not like.   They are followers who are often never to be found.  They are followers who constantly criticize leadership.  They are followers who will undermine the leadership if they believe it is necessary. 

            The word “true” means “real, authentic, and genuine.”  A true follower understands his/her place, his/her purpose, and his/her power.  Let’s look at these three things as demonstrated in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ.  When Jesus came to earth, he was subjected to His heavenly Father.  In I Corinthians 11:3, we read:  “…and the head of Christ is God.”  God the Father was the leader.  Jesus was the follower. 

            Did Jesus understand His place as a follower?  Absolutely.  In John 5:19, Jesus said:  “Verily, verily I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself…”  In verse 30 of the same chapter, He makes a similar statement.  “I can of mine own self do nothing…”  In John 8:38, Jesus again says:  “…I do nothing of myself…”  We read similar words in John 12:49.  “For I have not spoken of myself…”  Jesus understood His place under the Father.  He was not here to do His own will.  He was not here to proclaim his own message.  He was not here to do the works that originated with Him.  Would that more followers understood their place.  They are not leaders.  They are not commanders.  They are not in a place to do their own thing.

            Did Jesus understand His purpose as a follower?  Absolutely.  In John 4:34, these words of Jesus are found:  “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”  In John 5:30, Jesus again acknowledges that He understood His place as a follower.  “…because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.”  He echoes this same message again in John 8:38.  “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.”  Jesus truly understood the purpose of a follower.  His purpose was to complete the will of His leader.  This was true even when it may not have seen reasonable (Matt. 3:13-17) and when it was in conflict with His own will and best interests (Matt. 26:39, 42).  Again, all followers need to understand their purpose.  They might express their will at times, but it is their obligation to carry out the will of their leaders. 

            Did Jesus understand the power of a follower?  This statement seems to contradict all that has been said up to this point about followers.  Followers have no power, it seems.  Their will is not important.  Their purpose is to carry out the will of their leaders.  How, then, can a follower have power.  Followers have power in that they accomplish great things by doing the will of those who lead them.  On the cross of Calvary, Jesus spoke some very informative words just before He did.  He said:  “It is finished” (John 19:30).  Jesus had obeyed His heavenly Father by submitting to the horrors of the cross.  His actions completed God’s plan for redeeming sinful man.  A sacrifice had to be made.  Blood had to be shed.  A life had to be given.  When Jesus did the will of God, He knew He has made atonement for the sins of the world.  In His submission to God, there was great power unleashed to cleanse the world of sin.  Dear readers, leaders have goals in mind.  If they are good leaders, these goals will benefit many individuals.  Leaders, however, cannot accomplish their goal by themselves.  They must have the assistance of their followers.  When their followers comply and the plans are fulfilled, there is success.  Yes, both leaders and followers can rejoice because they have brought their plans to fruition.  Yes, there is great power in being part of a plan that accomplishes great things.

            In the church, there are both leaders and followers.  Leaders are to lead.  Followers are to follow.  Those who are true followers know their position.  They appreciate their purpose.  And, they understand their power.  Jesus is our primary example of what is means to be a true follower.  If He were here, He would tell us:  “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.  If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (John 13:15-17).