The Bible mentions many times that there is a party in Heaven whenever someone makes a commitment to Jesus. It is the best decision we can ever make in life. But Jesus didn’t say make a decision for him and then just do whatever. He says “follow me”! So, what does it mean to “follow” Jesus once we have said yes to him?

First, it’s good to remember that there are 3 steps in following Jesus:

1. We hear about Jesus - this is when we first meet Jesus. We find out about him and check him out (Romans 10:14).
2. We become friends with Jesus - we believe in him and accept him as our Saviour (John 1:12). At this point the Bible says we are saved and experience a new life and eternal life.
3. We follow Jesus - we begin to walk with Jesus and follow his example (Matthew 16:24; Mark 1:17). We start to care about what he cares about. We desire to learn more about him and living for him. We also share Jesus so others can hear about him and have opportunities to be saved and follow him (Matthew 28:19-20). When we follow Jesus, it doesn’t mean that we are perfect, but it does mean we are looking for ways to become more like Jesus everyday.

The key to following Jesus is that we don’t focus on what we have to DO ? we simply focus on Jesus. God will change us and our actions. That’s not our job. Our job is to keep focused on Jesus. Check out what the Bible says about this:

Ephesians 2:8-10 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

So, how do we keep Jesus as our friend, Saviour, Father, Lord, God, creator and King?! How do we keep him No 1 in our lives?

Romans gives us a great answer. Romans 12:2 - Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will

But what does it look like to live different to the “pattern of this world” and “renew our minds”? Here are 4 ways that will help you do that and keep Jesus No 1.

1. Choose Jesus Everyday:
Joshua 24:15 - But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.
We have to choose Jesus - not just once but everyday!

Choosing Jesus everyday can be hard. We are going the opposite direction to a lot of people in the world who don’t live for him. It can be easy to turn round and go with the flow. But the direction Jesus leads us in is infinitely better and worth the daily commitment.

2. Stay Connected To Jesus:
2 Peter 3:18 - But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
3 of the best ways to stay connected to Jesus and grow in our knowledge of him is to study our Bibles (it’s all about him), pray (it’s all about talking to him), and go to church (it’s all about worshipping him).

But there are other ways of staying connected to Jesus. Some other great ways are to spend some time in nature, have chats with your friends or family about God, read a Christian book, listen to Christian music, keep a prayer journal, watch a Christian DVD, serve others, spend some quiet time reflecting, share your faith, draw a picture for God, or write a poem or letter to God. There are lots of other ways too - get creative!

3. Take Jesus Everywhere:
Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Jesus is not just our God at Church or during Chapel at School. He is God of our entire lives. Our entire lives are now lived for him. That means we take him everywhere - how cool and scary is that?! Jesus goes everywhere and is everything to us!

4. Remember The Reason You Love Jesus:
Hebrews 12:2 - Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

It’s easy to forget the good stuff and get caught up in the bad. That’s why the Bible tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus. We need to take time to remember why we love Jesus. Don’t get distracted by the struggles or lies of the Devil. God is good and he deserves our worship. The Devil wants to get you to turn from Jesus. Hold fast. You are hooked up with the best God.

Blogs Based on actual questions asked by young people:
Hopefully these considerations to some big questions asked by young people are helpful to you. Please note that while I have done my best to be true to what the Bible and the Seventh-day Adventist church teaches, I may not always have got it 100% right. So please don’t just take what I say but keep searching out answers from God for yourself.
If you have any further questions, on these topics or any other, please feel free to:
1. Keep exploring the answers using a Bible, Christian books, Google, prayer, friends, family, youth leader, pastor, school chaplain, and an open heart.
2. Come say hi and chat to me in person when I am at your church or in your region.
3. Email me at LanceBoulton@adventist.org.nz
Don't be afraid to ask questions. God is bigger than your biggest question and isn't afraid of what you are wondering. Let your questions drive you into a fuller knowledge and experience of God (rather than driving you away from God).