John 1-3: A 12-Day Reading Plan Sample

The Bible makes it clear that Jesus initiates relationships and issues an invitation for people to follow Him. But a response is required on our part. To ignore Jesus’ invitation is the equivalent of refusing Him. Jesus’ invitation to follow Him isn’t a lifetime offer of dead religion. Jesus invites us into a living and thriving relationship. Since this is possible we’d be fools to settle for anything less. As believers today, we follow Christ by studying and obeying the Scriptures, cultivating a lifestyle of devoted prayer, and being active members of a biblical community in a local church. There’s a massive difference between believing Jesus exists and following Him as Lord. And there’s a difference between knowing about Jesus and following Him so closely we recognize His voice. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27-28). 

If Jesus initiates the relationship, what responsibility do we have to take?