Genesis 1:26 | Matthew 4:19 | Romans 8:29
Have you ever wondered why Jesus didn’t start by telling His disciples what they would become, but instead called them to follow?
“Then He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19
This bible verse carries the divine pattern of transformation: God makes, but we must follow. From creation to redemption, your becoming is tied not to ambition or talent, but to obedient, faithful followership.
In a time where everyone is striving to make something of themselves, Jesus invites us to surrender. He flips the script:
You don’t make yourself. You are made, when you follow.
Made by God From the Beginning
It all begins in Genesis 1:26, where God says: “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.”
This wasn’t a suggestion. It was a divine declaration. Humanity was God-made, crafted with intentionality to reflect His glory. Our value, identity, and purpose were established from the start, not by what we do, but by who made us.
But sin marred that image. The fall broke what was beautiful. And yet, God’s plan to restore never changed.
Followership: The Path to Restoration
Follow God
“It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.” Deuteronomy 13:4
We are called to Follow the Lord our God. The evidence of our followership in living in obedience, keeping His commands, walking in His ways, serving Him and holding fast to Him.
Fast-forward to the New Testament. Jesus appears, not just to save, but to remake.
“Follow Me, and I will make you…”
Here’s the truth: You can’t be made into who God has destined you to be unless you follow Jesus. The making is relational, not transactional. It happens in the walk, not before the walk.
We don’t negotiate our becoming and then follow; we follow and trust the process.
We often say: “Lord, make me useful, anointed, powerful.”
But Jesus says: “Follow Me, and I will make you.”
Follow Jesus Christ
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27
Following Jesus involves listening to Him, submitting to His will, and living as His disciple. Following is not only when you become a born again and Jesus as your Savior but you are called to follow Him as Your Lord
Making is a result.
Following is the requirement. Following must be intentional. Intentionality is about making a conscious decision to align your steps with Christ’s.
- It is personal: You can’t follow Jesus for someone else, and no one can do it for you.
- It is directional: You leave something to follow Someone. You put off the old to put on the new, you follow.
- It is daily: Jesus said, “Take up your cross daily.” It’s not a one-time event but a consistent walk, going from grace to grace and brighter to brighter into Christ
Follow the Holy Spirit
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” Romans 8:14
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25
You were not only saved by the Spirit, but you must also be made, built, and led by Him. The Holy Spirit is not just a comforter; He is also your trainer, your guide, and your builder.
Jesus told His disciples not to move until the Holy Spirit came (Acts 1:4-8). Why? Because their making for ministry and mission could not happen without the Spirit of God.
Likewise, your spiritual growth, maturity, wisdom, and effectiveness depend entirely on your daily followership (submission, obedience) to the Holy Spirit.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit… He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” John 14:26
The Holy Spirit speaks through:
The Word, Inner Convictions, assigned persons by Grace, Dreams, visions, and prophetic instruction
Your destiny will remain unformed until you learn to follow His leading.
“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21
Many fail in their making because they wait for emotional sensations instead of obeying divine instruction. We are to walk in the Spirit, allowing Him to guide our actions, decisions, and character.
Follow Spiritual Leaders (As They Follow Christ)
The Holy Spirit often leads you to God-assigned vessels (teachers, pastors, mentors) who help you grow. Ignoring their voice is often ignoring the Holy Spirit’s direction.
“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1
“I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:15
“Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls…” Hebrews 13:17
Don’t underestimate the power of spiritual mentorship. If the Spirit leads you to a voice, listen. That voice may carry the instruction that shapes your next season.
We are encouraged to follow godly leaders who live by the Word and exemplify faith in action, but only as they follow Christ.
Followership Is Costly but Essential
The disciples left everything: boats, nets, security, and even their families. Why? Matthew 4:20 – “They immediately left their nets…”
Because following requires leaving (letting go).
You can’t walk with Jesus while holding tightly to what defines you outside of Him. “These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.” Matthew 15:8
Real followership includes:
Proximity to Jesus (Mark 3:14), Obedience (John 14:15) and Daily surrender (Luke 9:23): Surrender of control, Surrender of Personal Ambition (self-made plans), Surrender of old identity, surrender of familiar comfort
You will not become all God called you to be in one day, but by following the Spirit daily, you are made into it.
“We all… are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
Becoming takes time. Keep following.
The Process of Making: Followership Is the Pathway to Becoming
The phrase “I will make you” implies process. The “making” doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a journey, a step-by-step process:
- Jesus teaches – shaping their minds (Matthew 5–7)
- He tests – revealing their hearts (Matthew 14:22–33)
- He corrects – addressing pride and error (Luke 22:24–27)
- He restores – healing their failures (John 21:15–19)
One step at a time, they were becoming, not by striving, but by staying close to the One who called them. This is what your followership is all about.
From Image to Image: The Full Circle
The goal of followership isn’t simply usefulness in ministry; it’s Christlikeness.
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son…” Romans 8:29
This is the full circle: God made us in His image (Genesis 1:26), sin distorted it, and now Christ restores it. The longer you walk with Him, the more you are conformed into His likeness.
Examples of Followership That Led to Making
Followership is more than walking behind; it’s a commitment. True followership requires:
- Obedience to His Word
- Sensitivity to His Spirit
- Surrender to His will
Don’t just go to church, walk with and in Christ.
- Elisha followed Elijah – and inherited a double portion.
- Ruth followed Naomi – and became part of the Messianic lineage.
- Joshua followed Moses – and led Israel into the promise. Before he led, he served
- Peter followed Jesus – and became a foundational apostle.
Each of these persons was made through following.
So, Where Do You Stand?
Here are some reflection questions to dwell on:
- Am I truly following Jesus, or just circling around His presence?
- What is God asking me to leave behind?
- What area of my life resists surrender?
- What “net” (comfort, identity, habit) do I need to leave?
- Am I yielding to the Spirit daily or trying to lead myself?
- What instruction has the Spirit given me that I’ve delayed or ignored?
- Who has God assigned to speak into my spiritual growth? Am I listening?
Conclusion:
Your becoming is hidden in your following.
To be made into who God has called you to be, the first step is simple:
Follow Jesus. Trust the process. Stay close. Be made.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, I acknowledge that I cannot make myself. You are my Helper and my Guide. Train me, speak to me, and help me yield to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, and to every spirit-led instruction through the assigned vessels. I renounce every voice of flesh and confusion. Let Your voice be loud in my spirit. Lead me daily into the will of God and make me all that the Father has ordained. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
The Anointed Scribe’s Lamp 