Don't Follow Me, I'm Lost

“DON’T FOLLOW ME,  I’M LOST”

 

 

 

One day while driving my automobile, I came near enough to the car in front of me to be able to read the sticker on the back bumper.  It read, “Don’t follow me, I’m lost.”  I was reminded of a personal experience that occurred several years ago. 

 

Sally, her mother, her granddaddy, and grandmother were on their way to Arizona to see her sister.  Sally’s granddaddy was driving.  They arrived in Houston, Texas.  In Houston, they have stacked freeways.  After making the same loop about three times over the space of an hour or so, Sally’s mother informed her granddaddy that it was time for her to drive.  They were trying to avoid downtown Houston.  Well they didn’t.  They found themselves right in the middle of downtown Houston, and completely lost.   Finally, they got on the right road and continued on with their trip to Arizona.

 

In religious matters, also, many people are lost, and we must not assume that others know the way of salvation.  This would include preachers, parents, loved ones and friends.  There is the probability that a blind leader could cause you to be lost.  In Matthew 15:14 we read, “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”  Just because a certain way seems right does not insure that it is a safe path to travel.  In Proverbs 14:12 we read, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”  The sad fact is that the majority of people are traveling the wrong highway in this life.  Notice what we read in Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

  Individually, we have the responsibility to search the scriptures for ourselves. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” The Bible is the only road map that can safely direct us from this life to eternity in Heaven. In Psalms 119:105 we read, Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path,” and in Acts 20:32 we read, “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”

 

Another point that I want to emphasize is that people who are lost spiritually and know it, would do a tremendous service to others by wearing a sign that reads, Don’t follow me, I’m lost.”  A father who refuses to obey the gospel could lessen his influence with his children by making it clear that he was lost, and that he did not want them to follow his example of disobedience. The moralist would no doubt keep innocent people from believing that he was saved, and they could also be saved separate and apart from the blood of Jesus Christ.  The hypocrites and backsliders could really help in this matter by wearing this sign, thus informing all people that Christ was not living in them and that they were lost and doomed to eternal torment.  In Matthew 13:41-42 we read, “The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”  This might prevent others from following their ungodly examples.  The only sure and safe way to travel in this life is to follow Jesus who is “the way” (John 14:6).  And, He is the one who says to us, “Follow me” In Luke 9:23 we read, “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
 
Jimmy
 
Adapted:  Bro Raymond Elliot