Ten Things That People Who Follow Jesus Do Differently.

This morning I read 10 Things That The People Who Love Their Lives Are Doing Differently. How can you not read an article with a title like that? It appeared on-line in Elite Daily – The Voice of Generation Y.  I wondered if following Jesus would produce the same, perhaps even better, results.  Hudson observes, “It’s the way that you live your life that largely decides whether or not you will live happily.” It’s hard to argue with that. Christ followers certainly believe that happiness, and more importantly joy, comes from what you do. Let’s look at these 10 things and compare.

They don’t bother trying to make others like them — mainly because they don’t care if they’re liked. Followers would certainly give a big Amen here. Jesus told us if we follow him don’t expect to be liked, in fact, expect to be hated and despised. Hudson says, “They like themselves and they are the only people they ever answer to.” Well, here’s where Christians differ. We answer to Jesus. We don’t care what others think of us. We, too don’t answer to others, but we also don’t consider ourselves the final authority. We answer to Jesus.

They do what they do because they decided to do it.  Hudson says, “They aren’t trying to gain your approval or acceptance. They don’t want to be part of your team — they’re a team of their own. They live their lives the way they see fit and if you like them for it, great. If not… then so be it.” I guess he describes “happy loners.” As followers of Jesus, we are called into community. What we do for Jesus we do together. I have to say my most joyful days are working and playing with others who follow.

They do things because they want to do them, not because they believe they have to do them. On this point most non-followers, believe they are completely different from Christians. They think we do what we do because God says we have to. The truth is we do what we do as a grateful response to what Jesus did for us. Our compulsion is internal not external. We don’t act from blind duty, but from motivated excitement.

They love their friends but don’t rely on them. Hudson says: “Friends are tricky because they aren’t really yours, are they? You don’t own them. They are their own people who have their own wants and needs — people who will always put themselves ahead of you and your goals. Friends are great to have, but relying on them too heavily will leave you disappointed.” This may be the saddest point Hudson makes. I read it as: “Sadly friends put themselves first and not you.”

Christ followers love to love. We love because Jesus first loved us. He told us that’s how people would know we are his, by the way we love each other. We love each other unnaturally, supernaturally. We love each other through the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s a love that doesn’t come naturally. We don’t expect anything back. We love unconditionally. It’s called “agape” and it’s awesome and super – natural.

When you ask them what they do, they don’t give you a job title.

We aren’t much on titles. Not the real Christ followers. Some who claim to be are REALLY big on titles, and rank and authority. The real followers recognize only one leader, Jesus. What we do is a mission. It’s not a self-determined mission or a mission to be happy. It’s a mission that brings happiness and joy because it’s the mission we were created for.

When you ask them where they live, they say, “At the moment…”
“Happy people tend to move around a bit.”  Christ followers are big time movers. Jesus told us to “go” and make disciples. We don’t travel for the sake of it. We go with a purpose, an eternal purpose. Yes, that makes us Happy, Happy, Happy.

They have their own philosophies, their own religion they created and live by.
I guess here Hudson really reaches the bottom line: “You don’t need a book to tell you how you ought to live your life. (He isn’t talking about the Bible, is he?) You can live your life by whatever philosophy you wish — as long as you found truths that satisfy you. They have a strong grasp of right and wrong and are their own judges.” He’s talking relative truth. It’s true if it’s true for me. Sorry Hudson. Truth is not relative. We really differ from you guys here. It’s not like you think it is. We don’t worship religion. You can go create your own religion. That’s not what it’s about. It’s about relationship. We have a relationship with the creator. Try to top that. He is the Great I am. If it sounds silly to  you, it’s because it hasn’t been revealed to you by the Holy Spirit. That’s the only way you get something like that.

They embrace their impermanence.

Now it’s getting serious. Read Hudson with me: “They know they’re only mortal — having this knowledge and accepting it fuels their every step. You will too. Why? Because it is inevitable. There is no way of avoiding it, only dealing with the fact.

The happiest of people don’t fear death. They don’t do their best to avoid it. They see it as the inevitability that it is in and live their lives by their terms. They may not be able to control death, but they know they sure as hell can control their own personal lives.”

Hudson’s folks don’t fear death because they believe it’s inevitable? Sounds a little fishy. They do their best to avoid it. Sounds futile. We don’t fear it because Jesus conquered it. I couldn’t go through life if I thought life was all. Hudson’s right that the happiest people don’t fear death. They look forward to eternal life. Only Christ followers get to do that.

They see the world as their playhouse and their mind as the conductor.

They think they are God, the original and ultimate delusion. The world was created for them and they are the boss. Sadly they are so close to getting it right. The world was created for us, not to play in, but to relate to God in. He’s the boss, but more importantly. He’s the loving Father. Thinking we are God is Satan’s great deception, begun in Eden and alive and well today.

They live in the moment, but dream in the future.

Here he goes again: “You can’t live life doing nothing more than looking towards the future because you’ll miss the only time that things actually matter or exist: the present. The present, the immediate moment is the only moment that you can actually live in. The rest is only an illusion.” Eternity is real. It’s not an illusion. It’s the purpose for existence. If you miss this point, you miss it all.

They don’t bother changing others, but instead learn how to deal with them appropriately.

Here’s Hudson’s (representing millions) sad conclusion and philosophy: “Devoting your energy to changing other people is a waste of it. People do change, but they only do so on their own accord. They have to decide to change themselves and that only happens in time — you can’t push and force because it doesn’t work.

On the contrary, it often does the opposite of what is intended. Instead of wasting time and energy trying to do the impossible, why not do the next best thing? Learn to deal with people as they are in order to get the result you desire. If you can’t change them, then guide them to do as you wish. Otherwise, let them go.”

Followers of Christ take exactly the opposite view. While we agree WE can’t change people; we rest in the fact that God can and does. Change is what it’s all about. We must be born again. Talk about change. That’s becoming completely new by the power of God.

It’s only here at the end that I decide the title for my post, Ten Things That People Who Follow Jesus Do Differently.

I think I’ll stick with the walk I’m on. Good luck Hudson.