Discipleship

 

“People seldom improve when they have no other model but themselves to copy,” once quipped the 18th-century Anglo-Irish essayist, playwright, and poet Oliver Goldsmith.

In an age of extreme individualism that sets oneself as the standard, that parrots such expressions as “I must live for myself,” or “I must be true to myself,” and “I can only know what is right and wrong for me,” Goldsmith’s observation finds modern-day application.

Not long ago freelance writer Matthew Miller published an article entitled, “The Radical Individualism Raging Through America.” In it, he quoted Paul Krugman, a New York Times columnist, in a piece titled “The Cult of Selfishness Is Killing America,” which espoused that “too many Americans now subscribe to the positive power of greed and the innate belief that everyone is better off when they pursue their own self-interest.”

Unfortunately, this spirit has too often found its way into the church. It is witnessed in both overt and in subtle ways that elevates one’s personal preferences, political opinion, and self-interests over the collective good of the church and the leadership of godly Shepherds.

Most seriously, however, individualism diminishes the Biblical teaching of discipleship that values the virtues of self-sacrifice, self-denial, and self-control. It flatly contradicts Christ’s teachings that challenge us to follow Him.

Consider Jesus’ characterization of discipleship.

“Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple” (Lk. 14;27).

“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher” (Lk. 6:40).

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me’ (Lk. 9:23).

“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matt. 10:37-39).

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (Jn.10:27).

Hearing Jesus, heeding Jesus, following Jesus, and striving to become like Jesus is the essence of discipleship.

Being a disciple of Christ calls for submissive, sacrificial, servile, and selfless attitudes and actions. This means that we submit to His will and Word. That we serve the needs of our fellow man and our church family. That we’re willing to give up whatever stands between us and our relationship with the Lord. And that we surrender our pride, prerogatives, privilege, and personal opinions.

A cursory study of the first-century disciples beginning with Acts 2:41-47reveals that discipleship…

…Requires attachment to the Body of Christ. You can’t go it alone.

…Involves learning. Increasing in knowledge is a must.

…Engages in a devoted, loving fellowship. Think the “one another” commands.

…Issues itself in worship. Assembling with fellow Christians to praise God is vital.

…Results in evangelistic outreach. How can you not share the joy of your faith?

If all of this raises concerns that you fail to measure up to this Scriptural standard, be advised that discipleship is not an event. It’s a process. A life-long process. In the parlance of the Christian race analogy. Discipleship is not a 100-meter sprint. It’s a marathon. An ultra-marathon.

In the words of Bill Donahue,

“Disciples are not just people with more answers to Bible questions who attend more events or listen to more Christian radio. Disciples are people who act like Christ, who are willing to train to be like Him, who practice the disciples of prayer, solitude, worship, Bible reading and study, community and ministry. They are lifelong learners and lovers of Jesus.”

Let us “Renew in ‘22″ our commitment to Christian discipleship.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

Comment at: https://thepreachersword.com/2022/05/23/word-of-the-week-discipleship-2/#more-22498

When All Is Said and Done

We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8 When Lee Strobel researched his book on heaven, he interviewed Luis Palau, the Argentinian evangelist who preached to more than a billion people. “He knew he was dying,” said Strobel. “He had stage four lung cancer….I flew out to Portland because I wanted to interview someone who was about to go to heaven….He told me he’s not afraid of dying. He said, ‘I really believe that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.’”[1]

For the Christian, dying means immediate entrance into the physical presence of the Lord in His great city of New Jerusalem. We leave behind (temporarily, until the resurrection) our bodies of sickness and pain. Yet, in the flick of an eye, we’re there with Jesus among all His golden and gleaming cityscapes. The Lord will give us extra grace for the moment He takes us home. For that reason, we are confident—even well pleased—to be with Him. I can tell you from personal experience that, at the end of your life, when all is said and done, you’ll never regret being courageous for Christ. Luis Palau to Lee Strobel David Jeremiah

Blessed Assurance

We don’t have to wonder where we will spend eternity. Belief in Jesus guarantees a future with Him.

1 John 5:9-13 9 If we receive the testimony of people, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son. 10 The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. 11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 The one who has the Son has the life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.   People fall into one of four categories. Which one applies to you? 1. We are saved and we know it. 2. We think we are saved, but we’re not. 3. We don’t claim to be saved. 4. We’re not saved but would like to be. As today’s passage shows, God wants us to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we will spend eternity in His presence (1 John 5:13 above). Salvation is His deliverance from all the effects of sin, and it is available to whoever trusts in Jesus Christ. Do you have that kind of certainty? Unless you’re already confident that heaven is your eternal destination, I urge you to settle the matter now. First, realize that our Father desires salvation for all people (3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Tim. 2:3-4), and He has provided the way through His Son (For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16). We are saved when we believe in Jesus Christ and confess Him before men (9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Rom. 10:9-10). God is faithful to keep His promises. If you trust in Jesus as your personal Savior, the Father will forgive all your sins and welcome you into His family (But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, John 1:12)—without regard to merit or worth on your part. He freely gives eternal life to all who believe in His Son. Will you receive it?

Following Jesus Christ is counterintuitive

Following Jesus Christ is counterintuitive. Always has been.

In His famous “Sermon on the Mount,” Jesus teaches that life in the kingdom of God is antithetical to what most mortals think and feel.

For instance, if someone attacks you, Jesus says don’t defend yourself or retaliate.

If someone mistreats you, forgive them.

If someone offers sincere correction, receive it in humility without being defensive or taking offense.

If someone compels you to go one mile, go two.

If someone steals your shirt, give them your coat also.

If someone hates you, love them.

If someone trashes you (gossips, slanders, invokes curses on your head), don’t act in kind. Pray for them.

In other words, even when you’re being hated, spoken evil of, lied about, and mistreated, keep the love on. 

Never turn it off.

Now, that doesn’t mean you are to have warm fuzzy feelings in your belly toward those who act like sub-human pigs.

That’s not what Jesus meant by “love.”

Nor does it mean that you are to trust people who act in fleshly ways.

While love is unconditional, trust is conditional and must be earned.

Nor does loving a person mean that you are to fulfill their every request or whim.

Rather, Jesus defines love quite clearly for us in the Gospels: It’s treating others the same way we want to be treated in every situation.

To illustrate, here are some examples of people I’ve known in the past who kept the love on.

Jeff excelled at his job and earned the favor of his boss as well as a promotion and a raise.

Two people (who were buddies with each other) now had a common enemy.

Both of these befuddled souls were insanely jealous of Jeff and began fabricating false narratives about him in an effort to knock him off his horse.

Some who were gullible in the office believed the lies and stopped talking to Jeff.

Jeff kept the love on. He forgave those two people and didn’t retaliate by spreading lies about them as they had done to him. A few noticed that Jeff was taking the high road and their respect for him only increased. A year later, one of Jeff’s detractors got fired. The other had a mental breakdown. Jeff was promoted again.

“The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.”

~ Proverbs 18:17

“Things the Lord hates…a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”

~ Proverbs 6:19

Don was coaching a baseball team. He had to cut someone from the team because Don and the assistant coach didn’t feel the guy had what it took to be on the team.

When the guy was told that he was being cut, he became livid and shortly thereafter began demonizing Don and the other coach.

One of Don’s friends—someone quite naïve—believed the false rumors and broke their friendship with Don over it.

Don kept the love on. Don forgave the guy who was spreading the lies and he also forgave his friend who believed them. Don never spoke ill of either men. When people asked why he cut the guy from the team (after he was whining about it to everyone who would listen), Don answered honestly without exaggeration. Eventually, Don’s friend came to his senses and saw through what was going on. And the friendship was restored. Last I heard, Don was still coaching successfully and things were going great in his life. 

“A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.”

~ Proverbs 16:28

“It is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”

~ Proverbs 19:11

Sarah’s boss made her the manager of a group of people at her local store.

One of the women who wanted Sarah’s position disagreed with her method of leadership.

This person tried to persuade Sarah to take on her vision and methods.

Sarah listened graciously, but chose not to go in the woman’s direction. The woman was insulted that Sarah didn’t adopt her views.

So she began laying plans to subvert Sarah’s leadership by trying to win the favor of the other workers who were under Sarah, seeking to persuade them that Sarah was incompetent.

Sarah kept the love on. She forgave the hater and didn’t retaliate. She kept silent on the matter, except when she was privately asked about what the woman was saying about Sarah. Eventually, the hater at Sarah’s job fell on her own sword. She got in trouble with Sarah’s boss over another matter and was fired. 

“If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”

~ Proverbs 18:13

“Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.”

~Proverbs 10:18

In all of the above scenarios, people opted to walk in their flesh by becoming jealous and/or taking needless offense.

Sadly, it’s often your fellow “Christians” who are the purveyors of this kind of fleshly conduct.

Even so, following Jesus Christ is taking the high road when others opt for the gutter.

When God’s people hear the way of Jesus in this regard, their natural response is usually, but this is so hard!

No, it’s not hard. It’s humanly impossible.

But we aren’t called to live as “mere mortals” (1 Corinthians 3:3-4).

It’s only possible when we learn to live by the indwelling life of Christ.

For His life knows the cross—death to self, losing, yielding, laying your life down.

And it will always lead you up a hill during times of mistreatment.

In addition, the nature of His life is love. But the word “love” is cheap these days.

If you love someone, you won’t lie about them or distort the truth.

If you love someone, you will always think the best of their intentions.

If you love someone, you will treat them the way you want to be treated in every circumstance.

Following Jesus Christ today—or as I’ve put it so often, “following your spiritual instincts”—means transcending the reactions of the flesh.

And in so doing, God gets glory, for you are a child of the most High—the One who allows His rain to shine on the wicked and the righteous alike.

So keep the love on… 

This article was originally published in There Must Be More.

Standing Firm

If we want to withstand trials and evil temptations, we must plant ourselves on a foundation of faith.

Ephesians 6:10-17 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Did you know that you’re in a battle every day of your life? The enemy’s goal is to weaken, deceive, and lead believers astray. God protects all who belong to Him, so wicked forces can never touch our salvation (3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Pet. 1:3-5). But they can lead us into sin, cause discouragement, ruin our witness for Christ, and bring about other damage. The main charge in today’s passage is “Stand firm,” and it’s mentioned three times (Eph. 6:11; Eph. 6:13-14). Paul says the purpose of the armor of God is to enable us to stand our ground in the battle, and his list of armor would not be complete without the footwear mentioned in verse 15. The soles of a Roman soldier’s sandals were studded with iron hobnails, which enabled him to stand his ground against an enemy assault. Today our anchoring footwear is faith in the gospel, which not only grants us peace with the heavenly Father but also makes us Satan’s adversaries. So plant your feet and anchor yourself on a solid foundation of faith. When we don’t avail ourselves of the protection provided through Christ, we’re more likely to give way in the fight and yield to Satan’s temptations.

Be Content

Contentment doesn’t depend on what we have or what we lack; it is found in Jesus alone.

Hebrews 13:5-6 5 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you,” 6 so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?”   Contentment is a quality seen in very few people today. Our society is always offering new items, gadgets, upgrades, and conveniences that promise pleasure, comfort, and satisfaction. But no material goods ever live up to that promise long-term. Yet many people keep falling for lies instead of being content with what they have. The book of Hebrews was written to people who were experiencing discouragement and persecution for their faith in Christ. Those believers faced many hardships, including public reproach, imprisonment, and property seizure (32 But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, 33 partly by being made a public spectacle through insults and distress, and partly by becoming companions with those who were so treated. 34 For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better and lasting possession. Heb. 10:32-34). Yet in (35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.)Hebrews 10:35-36, the writer urges them to endure because they have a better and eternal possession awaiting them in heaven. They may not have had tangible wealth or comforts, but in the Lord, they had all they needed—and He promised never to leave or forsake them, no matter what men did to them on earth. Most of us today have much more material wealth and security than those early believers did, but contentment is largely still elusive. That’s because the problem has to do with the heart. We love money and all that it provides. So while the Lord “richly supplies us with all things to enjoy” (Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 1 Tim. 6:17), true enjoyment is possible only when our heart is set on Him rather than on worldly things. He alone is our hope.

In Our Footsteps

“Be followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1

Lee Strobel tells about a mother from California, who told about the day her three-year old son was on her heels wherever she went. She was having trouble completing her to-do list.

“Whenever I stopped to do something and turned back around I would trip over him,” she said. “Several times I suggested fun activities to keep him occupied, but he would just smile and say, ‘That’s alright Mommy I’d rather be in here with you.’ He continued to follow me and after the fifth trip, my patience wore thin and I asked him why he was following me constantly.”

He said, “My Sunday school teacher told me to walk in Jesus’ footsteps but I can’t see him so I’m walking in yours.”

As a mother of young children, this story sounds all too familiar! My children always want to follow me, do what I do, and think every game is better when I play with them. It is easy to get frustrated and ask that they occupy themselves with other activities, but what a difference it would make if we saw each moment as an opportunity to be as Jesus to them! Imagine the great impact our testimony could have in their own faith journeys. This is not only true for parents, but for grandparents as well. The greatest way we can teach our children about the love of Jesus is through the example of how we live, and how we model his love in our everyday life.

I once heard someone say, “We raise not the children we want but the children that we the parents are.”

From Daily Encounter

Slow To Anger

When you are younger, anger seems almost like a superpower. You cower in the presence of anger, and you see others do as well. Rage gets things done and brings people under your control. If you don’t like a potential decision by the Supreme Court that reverses Roe v. Wade, you yell, scream, and threaten in order to intimidate and make people fearful for their safety in order to try to manipulate the court. If you don’t like what someone does, you verbally or physically bring him into submission through rage. Anger is power.

As you grow older and wiser, you realize that anger of this sort is weakness. You don’t control your passions, they control you. These passions you can’t control are used by others to control you; they “push your buttons” and manipulate you. You are a slave to the unpleasant circumstances around you. Your bursts of sinful anger destroy everything precious to you, isolating you from everyone. Undisciplined anger, far from being a strength, is a display of weakness. Real power is the freedom that comes through patience.

The quick-tempered man in Proverbs is a fool. A fool is not intellectually disabled or a clownish figure. He is a moral deviant, a man given over to sin. Solomon instructs his son in wisdom, and one aspect of that wisdom is to discipline his God-given anger so that it becomes his servant and not his master. To take up the Adamic mission of bringing God’s wise order to the world, cool heads must prevail. In the end, cool heads, the patient, will prevail.

Quick-tempered men, hot-heads, act foolishly (14.17) and exalt folly (14.29); they bring disorder to the world by creating chaotic, tense, unhealthy situations instead of peace (15.18). Their anger isolates them, causing them to be hated by others (14.17), because they keep everyone at a distance through their anger, and, besides that, no sane person wants to be around this drama queen and live with this anxiety.

In his quick temper, the slave to anger loses perspective, not able to take in and deal with all the information because his hasty anger hyper-focuses his attention on one object, putting blinders on him. His limited vision means that he has no understanding or insight that allows him to put all the pieces of the situation together in a proper relationship because he refuses to see all the pieces. Consequently, the quick-tempered man cannot fulfill his God-given mission of dominion. His outbursts of anger are one of the works of the flesh that Paul says is characteristic of those who will not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal 5.19-21).

The wise son cultivates patience. He is slow to anger. He has the ability to calm and steel his mind through hope rooted in faith so that he can endure until he reaches his goal. Patience is not passivity or indifference. Patience is actively working on achieving the goal of defeating evil and building what is good by keeping its wits about him.

Patience is a discipline that must be cultivated. When we are young, our parents are responsible to discipline us in patience. As we grow older, patience must become a self-discipline. We must develop the ability to master our minds so as to direct our desires, will, emotions, and bodies to accomplish our mission. As with all self-discipline, the cultivation of patience requires pain, stressors that will challenge you mentally, physically, and emotionally. The way you respond to that pain will determine if it will make you stronger or break you. Because many stressors in our lives are outside of our control, the only power you have is your response. The stress reveals the weakness in your character. It doesn’t create it. If that weakness is to be strengthened, you must accept this stress as something of a frenemy; others may have plans to destroy you through this, but you know that God in his providence has brought this to be a servant to develop the strength of patience (cp. 1Cor 3.18-23). Your loving heavenly Father intends to make you a stronger son through this training. As you keep that in mind, knowing that all things do indeed work together for good to those who love God–faith–you develop the mental toughness and resiliency to endure, not being knocked off track through uncontrolled passions.

Whining, complaining, and moaning all the time about your situation reveals and cultivates weakness. You are not positively acting. You become the cowed victim that is a prisoner to others or your circumstances.

Patience is freedom. People and circumstances don’t enslave you by your own passions. You are free to be who God called you to be and accomplish what he put you here to do. Being patient, you are a true son of your heavenly Father who is slow to anger.

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When We Feel Helpless

No matter how helpless we feel in a situation, God is sufficient.

2 Chronicles 20:1-4 Now it came about after this, that the sons of Moab and the sons of Ammon, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat. 2 Then some came and reported to Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Aram; and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (that is Engedi).” 3 Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the Lord; and he proclaimed a period of fasting throughout Judah. 4 So Judah gathered together to seek help from the Lord; they even came from all the cities of Judah to seek the Lord. Have you ever felt totally helpless? Can you remember facing a situation or emergency in which you were powerless? It’s a sobering experience for anyone. Even people who claim to be wholly dependent on God still like to feel as if they have some control over their circumstances. Jehoshaphat faced a moment like that when news came that three different armies had joined forces to destroy Israel. He was afraid because the enemies were great in number. What’s more, he remembered being in grave danger the last time he was on the battlefield (29 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up against Ramoth-gilead. 30 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into the battle, but you put on your robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into the battle. 31 Now the king of Aram had commanded the thirty-two commanders of his chariots, saying, “Do not fight with the small or great, but only with the king of Israel.” 32 So when the commanders of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “Surely he is the king of Israel!” And they turned aside to fight against him, and Jehoshaphat cried out. 33 Then, when the commanders of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him. 1 Kings 22:29-33). But now, in this moment of helplessness, Jehoshaphat also knew there was only One who could help—the Lord God. Despite his fear, Jehoshaphat neither ran away nor charged into battle; rather, he “turned his attention to seek the Lord” (2 Chron. 20:3). He also called on others to pray. And seeking God in a seemingly hopeless situation changed the attitude of the entire nation. When circumstances make you feel afraid and out of control, turn your attention away from the problem and onto our mighty God. It takes faith to reject self-sufficiency, but the Lord honors those who depend on Him.

What Does Greater Devotion to Jesus Get You? Thinking Through John 21:15-19.

Clarke Dixon If we are more devoted to Jesus than others, we should get more privileges, right? Or perhaps we don’t want to compare ourselves to others. If we are more devoted to Jesus than we were five or ten years ago, there should be advantages, right? The following conversation between Jesus and Peter will help us discover what a greater devotion to Jesus does, and does not, get us. So here we go: After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep. John 21:15-17 (NLT) We might wonder what “these” refer to when Jesus asked Peter “do you love me more than these.” One possibility, since Peter had just been fishing, is “do you love me more than these things?” that is, this fishing gear. It could be “do you love me more than you love these disciples?”. Or it could be “do you love me more than these other disciples love me?”. This last possibility is seen by many Bible scholars as the best given that Peter always seemed to be first among the disciples. He was the one who asked to walk on water with Jesus, he was the one who at first refused to have his feet washed by Jesus, he was the first to say he was willing to die for Jesus. Let us consider what Jesus did, and did not, say to Peter: JESUS DID NOT SAY TO PETER “IF YOU LOVE ME MORE THAN THESE THEN WHY DID YOU DENY YOU KNEW ME WHEN I WAS ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL?” Jesus did not lecture Peter about he should have done, or what he could do better moving forward. There was no interrogation. Jesus did not even mention Peter’s sin against him. But the fact that Jesus asked three times by a fire “do you love me?” would have reminded Peter of the three times he denied Jesus by a fire. The message was clear; Jesus had not forgotten, but he had forgiven. Jesus did say “feed my lambs, take care of my sheep, feed my sheep.” Jesus forgave and was ready to move forward in their relationship. Greater devotion to Jesus does not get us greater forgiveness. Greater devotion to Jesus does open up the opportunity to move forward in forgiveness already granted. JESUS DID NOT SAY “SINCE YOU LOVE ME MORE THAN THESE, THEN I WILL LOVE YOU MORE THAN THESE.” Jesus said “feed my lambs, take care of my sheep, feed my sheep.” Jesus called Peter to this task, not out of greater love for Peter, but out of great love love for all the sheep. Jesus also said, “follow me.” Follow where? In the path of the shepherd, in the path of the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. If you love me more than these, then love them just as I do! Greater devotion to Jesus does not mean we will be loved more by Jesus. It does mean we will love more like Jesus. JESUS DID NOT SAY “SINCE YOU LOVE ME MORE, YOU WILL GET SPECIAL TREATMENT.” It is natural to think that if we love Jesus more than others, or more than we used to, then we should be rewarded with greater privileges. If we pray more, read the Bible more, do more religious things, and become better followers, we should receive a more privileged place, right? Jesus said “feed my lambs, take care of my sheep, feed my sheep.” Greater devotion to Jesus does not lead to greater privilege, it leads to the privilege of greater service. JESUS DID NOT SAY “SINCE YOU LOVE ME MORE, YOU WILL GET MORE POWER AND AUTHORITY.”

Read more: https://clarkedixon.wordpress.com/2022/05/05/what-does-greater-devotion-to-jesus-get-you-thinking-through-john-2115-19/