It is well that we should ponder the privileges of the Christian life, but we must not forget that those privileges mean corresponding responsibilities; and it is also well to remember that we cannot fulfil the responsibilities, only as we enjoy by faith the privileges. To come to Christ, and to receive from Christ, are our privileges; and to abide in Christ, and to follow after Him, are our responsibilities.
To follow Christ, means at least three things; and these are sacrifice, suffering, and glory.
1. Sacrifice. In the case of the disciples it meant leaving their nets (Mat 4:19-20): with Matthew, forsaking the "receipt of custom" (Mat 9:9); and with the rich young ruler it was "sell all that thou hast, and distribute to the poor" (Luk 18:22). To follow Christ, means at least two things, namely, the denial of self itself (Mat 16:24); and the putting Christ and His claims first (Luk 9:57-62).
2. Suffering. Christ's distinct and definite command to Peter, as He tells him that he will have to die for Him, is, "Follow Me" (Jhn 21:19). Peter understood that to mean death (2Pe 1:14). There is a "cross" for every follower of Christ (Mar 10:21), and a death to the self-life, in order that we may bring forth fruit unto God (Jhn 12:24-26). Jordan with its baptism, Gethsemane with its bitter cup, Gabbatha with its fiendish mockery, Golgotha with its shame, the Cross with its suffering, the darkness with its cry, and Calvary with its death, have their counterpart in our experience.
3. Glory. It is to His followers that Christ promises that they shall "sit in the throne of His glory" (Mat 19:28); who shall be with Him, and also be honoured by the Father (Jhn 12:26). Christ not only leads His followers to the Mount of Calvary to suffer with Him, but He also leads them to the Mount of Transfiguration, that they may be glorified with Him.
To follow Christ in holiness of life, in compassion of heart, in devotion of service, in abandonment of will, in patience of spirit, in earnestness of soul, and in loyalty to truth, is to evidence that we are His sheep (Jhn 10:27). Surely, this is the least we can do, even as Bartimceus (Mar 10:52), and the noble band of women (Mat 27:55). Of the former we read, "He followed Jesus in the way," and of the latter we read, "which followed Jesus into Galilee, ministering unto Him."