What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus?

Do you recall how, in the Bible, Jesus called individuals to follow Him? Then those ones invited others to come and see Jesus? And after Jesus dealt with individuals, they rushed off to tell their friends? "Come and see, a man who knew everything I ever did!" said the Samaritan woman at the well. The Garadrean demoniac longed to follow Christ after the demons had been cast out of him, but Jesus told him to go and tell the people in that region. Jesus said, "Many are called, but few are chosen."

Frequently, people think they choose to follow after Jesus. It's only with hindsight that most of them realise that Jesus first called them and they responded to His calling. The call may come via a friend, or via reading the Bible, but ultimately, a Christian is one who responds to the call of Christ to come, follow Him. Please note also that millions of people think they are following Jesus when they are actually following teachings and interpretations of humans who tell them what it means to follow Jesus. A follower of Jesus has been touched by the Holy Spirit, who indwells that person so that Christ, the hope of glory, lives in them. You bet that makes such a person different to non-followers, or pseudo-followers! The Spirit of Christ can be detected in one who lives for Christ and who is prepared to die for Christ.

Pure and simple, a follower of Jesus is one who achieves being the best person he/she can be. This doesn't mean the person never did anything wrong, for we all have. It means that life's lessons are endured and understood to lead the person to a better spirituality, treating others as oneself, and realizing with the humblest of feelings that everything done in life is through Him.

A Christian is one who truly believes on Christ as Savior. The disciples were first called "Christians" at Antioch (Acts 11:26). A Christian is not someone who professes Christ, but rather someone who POSSESSES Christ as Lord and Savior. Yes it does make you different from those who do not follow Jesus.

The term Christian is used only three times in the Bible, and means Christ-like or follower of Christ (Ac. 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pe. 4:16). In the early churches the term Christian was first used in Antioch (Ac. 11:26). In the Bible, other words are more commonly used to describe Christ's followers. (1) They are called DISCIPLES (Ac. 1:15; 6:1,2,7; 9:1,19,25,26,38; 11:26,29; 13:52; 14:20,22,28; 15:10; 18:23,27; 19:1,9,30; 20:1,7,30; 21:4,16). (2) They are called BELIEVERS (Ac. 5:14; 1 Ti. 4:12). (3) They are called SAINTS sixty times in the N.T. (for example, Ac. 9:13; 26:10; Ro. 8:27; 12:13; 16:2; 1 Co. 6:1; 16:1; 2 Co. 1:1; Ep. 1:1; Ph. 1:1; Col. 1:1; 1 Th. 3:13; 1 Ti. 5:10; 2 Ti. 1:10; Phile. 7; He. 6:10; Jude 3; Re. 5:8). (4) They are called BRETHREN 73 times in Acts and the Epistles (for example, Ac 9:30; 12:17; Ro. 1:13; 1 Co. 1:10; 2 Co. 1:8; Ga. 1:2; Ep. 6:10; Ph. 1:12; Col. 4:15; 1 Th. 1:4; 2 Th. 1:3; 1 Ti. 4:6; 2 Ti. 4:21; He. 13:22; Jam. 1:2; 1 Pe. 1:22; 2 Pe. 1:10; 1 Jn. 2:7; 3 Jn. 3; Re. 22:9). Each of these terms emphasizes a different truth. "Christian" speaks of Christ-likeness. "Disciple" speaks of dedication to Christ to His service. "Believer" speaks of faith in Christ and in His Word. "Brethren" speaks of Christians as members of one spiritual family.

It means that firstly we must love and obey the LORD God as Jesus did. Jesus was humble, sincere in all he said and did. Jesus had compassion for those around him and wanted to help them both physically and spiritually. Jesus preached the Gospel of the coming kingdom and we must too, for there are people still being called and we must do our part in showing them the truth of Scripture and helping them to live it.

Just as Jesus was baptised, so we go through the waters of baptism, in our case to symbolically wash away the sins of our past life and start afresh. Jesus showed us that we must serve others, just as he did. Jesus served to the ultimate in that he gave his life that we might have the opportunity of salvation. Jesus taught us that we must remember him frequently in bread and wine, the symbols of his sacrifice for us. In doing so we look at our own lives and rededicate ourselves in the hope of serving in the coming kingdom for ever.

Our lives now have to reflect the way Jesus showed compassion and loving kindness to those around him.

It means you follow His teachings ( hearing ,reading, and doing) and those of His father , God. .

Starting with John 3:16.-21.

In a nutshell: Believe, repent, be baptized and you are saved. Go and sin no more.

But it also requires growth.Christ said "Don't be just hearers of the word, but be doers of the word."

one who follows Jesus is somewhat different, one strives to be as Christ like as possible, and there are not many non followers or even "alledged" followers who would have the higher qualities of forgiveness, compassion, tolerance and honesty, humbleness etc. it is quite a task to attempt to be as Jesus Is....we should all strive harder :-)I am not saying there isn't good folk from all walks of life, so don't get me wrong...Peace/Love & God Bless

It means that you follow Him, seek Him, want Him, and need Him.

Yes. The fact that you DO follow Jesus and that some others DON'T, kind of makes us different.

Kate having read all the answers there is enough drivel and half truths from some half wits for me to opt out on this one. Sorry.

It means after Salvation, (Romans 10:9-13), one is IN Him and He is IN us and 'we' are no longer our own but are Bought with a Very Valuable Price/Redeemed from the "Curse" of sin and we stay IN His Will.

No difference whatsoever, except in the minds of those who follow one of the numerous sects with their own interpretation of how to follow him.