What does it actually mean to follow Jesus?

Not just believe in him, not just show up on Sunday, but truly, actively, wholeheartedly

follow him.

Today, on Insight for Living, Chuck Swindall brings a message that cuts straight to the

heart of that question. From 2 Thessalonians 3, Chuck confronts the kind of comfortable,

uncommitted Christianity that looks real from a distance, but doesn't hold up under honest

examination. If your faith has grown a little lukewarm, this message is for you. Chuck

titled it, Buying Into the Vision. When you think of the Apostle Paul's life, you don't think

of someone who bailed out on his responsibilities. you don't think of someone who bailed out on

his responsibilities, you don't think of someone who lacked discipline.

You think of someone whose life was marked by hard work and honesty and faithfulness.

He says that in verse 8, nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it.

But with labor and hardship, we kept working night and day so that we might not be a burden to any of you.

We weren't out of order.

We weren't absent from you when you needed us.

And furthermore, we weren't ministerial sponges.

Hold your place here and go back to the first letter he wrote to the Thessalonians

and locate in chapter two words for these same people earlier in life.

First Thessalonians 2, verse 7. Let me give you a little pen portrait

of Paul when he ministered in Thessalonica. He is early on in ministry, and even yet he is a

diligent example. Or an example of diligence. Verse 7, chapter 2, we prove to be gentle among you as a nursing

mother tenderly cares for her own children. These are words right from the nursery. These are

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