This is a rather simple question, but it merits some thought. The men who originally followed Jesus, did not do so because it was culturally acceptable. Nor did they follow Him because He was a well accepted religious alternative. They did not worship together because going to a ‘Christian’ church service was the normal activity of their society.

They followed Jesus for one simple reason…They believed He was who He said He was. These men were personal friends with Jesus, and they watched Him on a day in and day out basis. Many of them had known Him since he was a small child. They knew of the story of His birth and they grew up around him as young men.

John the Baptist was His own cousin… and he testified that Jesus was truly the Son of God. James and John…the sons of Zebedee, were also cousins, and they were convinced of His authenticity from many first hand conversations and observations. These men were sure of who He was, as ratified by Peters confession, … “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God!”

We have grown up in a society where Christianity is commonly accepted. We celebrate Christmas as the time of His birth, and Easter as the time of His death and resurrection, and major denominational  churches anchor our neighborhoods and cities.

There is a tendency for citizens who have always been exposed to Christianity to fall into becoming cultural Christians rather than authentic disciples. A cultural Christian is someone who does what they do because it is the norm in their society. Authentic disciples follow because of a genuine faith in Christ. This faith is the basis for their own personal relationship with Him.

What is faith? What does a genuine relationship with Jesus look like? How can I tell the difference between cultural Christianity and authentic Christianity? Where does this kind of belief come from? How can I insure that my families relationship with God is real? What are the hallmarks of a true disciple? Talk to me!