Following Jesus—Living by Grace as a Disciple
Adapted and inspired by Day by Day by Grace, this series reflects on God's boundless grace and His work in our lives, guiding us to live in humble dependence on Him.
When Jesus called people to follow Him, He wasn’t inviting them to a casual acquaintance or a part-time commitment. He was asking for their entire lives. “Follow Me,” He said. Those two words changed the lives of fishermen, tax collectors, and many others—and they continue to call us today. But what does it really mean to follow Jesus?
For years, I wrestled with this. Was following Jesus just about doing more, trying harder, or checking boxes on a spiritual to-do list? Thankfully, His Word has shown me that true discipleship isn’t about striving; it’s about walking in grace—humble, dependent, and willing to let go of self-reliance.
The Call to Follow
Jesus’ final command to His disciples was clear:
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19).
But before they could make disciples, they had to live as disciples themselves. At its core, discipleship means becoming a follower of Jesus, allowing Him to guide and shape every aspect of life.
When Jesus says, “Follow Me” (John 1:43), He invites us into a relationship—a journey of learning to live as He lived. And He doesn’t sugarcoat what this journey involves. He makes it clear:
"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23).
Denying Self: Letting Go of the Flesh
Denying ourselves isn’t about self-hatred or asceticism; it’s about refusing to let the flesh rule. And let me tell you, this isn’t easy. For years, I tried to operate out of my own strength, only to find that self-reliance led to frustration and spiritual stagnation.
Jesus calls us to something better:
Repudiating self-sufficiency: I’ve learned that no amount of effort can produce the life Christ calls me to live. As He said, “Without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
Rejecting self-righteousness: Even my best attempts at righteousness apart from Christ are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).
Abandoning self-help: The world tells us to “pull ourselves up by our bootstraps,” but Jesus invites us to rest in His sufficiency instead.
This is humility in action—acknowledging that the flesh profits nothing (John 6:63) and placing no confidence in human effort (Philippians 3:3).
Taking Up the Cross: Embracing Grace
Taking up our cross daily is a beautiful picture of dependence on God’s grace. The cross represents more than sacrifice; it represents the finished work of Christ. It’s where my self-righteousness was put to death, and His grace became my source of life.
When I take up my cross, I’m reminded that the old me—the one striving for significance—is gone (Galatians 2:20).
I embrace His grace afresh each day, knowing that His power is made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
The Grace of Following
Here’s the incredible truth: Jesus doesn’t call us to follow Him in our own strength. He empowers us through His Spirit, His resurrection power, and His promises.
When I think about following Jesus, I picture a child walking hand in hand with a loving parent. The parent leads, and the child simply trusts, placing one foot in front of the other. That’s what discipleship is: trusting the One who knows the way and walking humbly and dependently in step with Him.
Reflective Takeaways
Surrender Your Plans: What self-reliance or self-sufficiency might you need to let go of today?
Take Up His Grace Daily: Begin each day by remembering that His cross, not your effort, is your source of life.
Follow in Faith: Trust Jesus to guide you, even when the path seems uncertain.
Closing Prayer
Lord, thank You for calling me to follow You—not in my own strength, but by Your grace. I trust You to guide me to deny myself, take up my cross daily, and walk in humble dependence on You. I trust in Your sufficiency, and I surrender my self-reliance, choosing instead to rest in the finished work of the cross. Lead me, Lord, as I follow You, and may Your life shine through me each step of the way. Amen.
What about you? What does following Jesus look like in your daily life? How has His grace enabled you to walk in His ways? I’d love to hear your reflections.