When you hear and read God’s Word and are touched by the Holy Spirit, your eyes are opened to your own sinfulness. You recognize your need for mercy and choose to follow Him. But how do we follow Jesus, who is holy? He Himself said, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Choosing to follow Christ means turning away from a sinful life. For many, this decision leads to baptism. Baptism—by full immersion in water, not merely sprinkling—is a vital step of obedience. Jesus made it clear: to accept Him as Lord, you must repent, surrender your sin, and be baptized both by water and by the Holy Spirit. This is required of all who are able, except in cases where illness or circumstances prevent it. God, in His mercy, makes allowances for those who are bedridden or near death, but procrastination is dangerous. Waiting until the last moment may leave you unable to repent or ask forgiveness.
Jesus warned that the devil and his angels are constantly working to draw souls into darkness. Sadly, many die without repentance. His words are sobering: “Repent, or perish.” Once death comes, a person’s fate is sealed—there is no second chance. This truth is not meant to frighten, but to awaken us to the urgency of genuine repentance.
True repentance is more than words spoken with the lips; it must come from the heart. It requires a willful change of life and abandoning the old self. If you have stolen, you must confess and turn away from theft. If you have lived in adultery, you must forsake lust and remain faithful. If your mouth has been filled with profanity, you must stop speaking corrupt words and instead speak what is good. Lies must be rejected, and you must not side with those who spread falsehoods. Jesus said, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”
Following Christ is not easy. You will face mockery and insults, especially from those who knew your old life. Yet do not be discouraged—persevere. God’s gift is beyond compare: eternal life. No one else can offer such a promise.
Repentance, however, is not a one-time act that guarantees salvation without effort. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” This means that trials and temptations will come every day, and we must continually pray and strive to overcome them. Satan is never idle; he watches for opportunities to lead us back into sin.
That is why reading God’s Holy Word, the Bible, is essential. Even one verse, read with prayer and a request for the Holy Spirit’s guidance, strengthens faith and keeps your heart aligned with God. Scripture is not only a source of wisdom but also a shield against temptation.
As followers of Christ, we also have obligations. Jesus requires us to share the truth with others, to do good, and to uphold justice. We must despise corruption, cheating, lies, and lust. We are called to respect our parents, honor the elderly, and show compassion to those who are physically unhealthy or handicapped. True care is the mark of a disciple. Do not be ashamed to stand with those who defend the truth. Hiding good deeds or failing to live them out makes one unworthy of being called a follower of God.
Therefore, live each day in repentance, prayer, and perseverance. Read the Bible faithfully, pray for understanding, and let your life reflect Christ’s love. The road may be difficult, but the reward, eternal life with God, is greater than anything this world can offer.