What does it mean in these last days to become a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ?

What does it mean in these last days to become a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ?

(1) You believe God is, and that He rewards your devotion and hears your prayers; that He is your heavenly Father, that He loves you so much He gave His dearest treasure to become your Savior--His only Son; and that He stays with you forever through the on-going gift of the Holy Spirit.

(2) You have begun an eternity-filled and growing heart-appreciation of the love that led Jesus Christ to die your second death on His cross; that love has begun to "constrain" you to live "henceforth" unto Him and not for "self.

(3) Your baptism is a sign to the world that you turn away from its ways and sinful pleasures; a declaration to the world that you are now "crucified with Christ" and you are risen with Him to a new life.

(4) You believe that the One who died for you was resurrected and now lives forever as your personal High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary, your Attorney on your side, defending you from the attacks of Satan.

(5) You have begun to love the Bible as God's personal word to you; and you ask Him to deepen that love and confidence from now on forever.

(6) You have begun to love God's law, His ten commandments as ten promises of victory over temptation Satan may bring against you; you love obedience to the fourth, keeping holy His blessed seventh-day Sabbath as a precious gift from Him.

(7) The "blessed hope" you cherish is the imminent personal, literal, visible second coming of Jesus and you want to help others also to get ready.

(8) You thank the Lord for the "gifts" He has given to His "body" on earth, the church--one of which is the living gift of prophecy, evidence of His on-going love.

(9) Since His church is His "body" on earth, you want to remain forever one of its loyal members, supporting it with tithes and offerings returned to the Lord.

(10) You believe that your physical body is the "temple" the Holy Spirit dwells in; you choose to keep it in health and purity, for it was purchased by the sacrifice of Christ.

(11) You seek fellowship in that "church" that Revelation singles out as "the remnant" which "keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."

(12) You are happy forever "in Christ" living under His new covenant of grace.