Following Christ

“If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him” (John 12:26, NASB1995).

What a magnificent verse. Such profound implications for the believer! Three things are presented here.

First that following Christ fully is not optional for the believer who wants to have Christ’s plan unfold in his or her life. There is no room made for those who foolishly attempt to protect any part of their own life and life wants or plans. These things not only cost the inheritance of the great things of God, they cost them the daily inheritance of the kingdom of God which is their birthright as those who have received Christ through new birth. It is the sacrifice of everything He has for them in this life.

Do not be mistaken, men and women who are great in the eyes of our modern churches, who are seen as major leaders and influencers have no advantage in this. They may be doing seemingly great Christian works (at least in the eyes of men, yes, even in their own eyes) in the church, and yet are accomplishing nothing in His searching eyes. Their works are works of futility. God is judging the secret motives of the heart moment by moment and testing if they are living from themselves or from Christ (John 6:18).

Secondly, those that follow Him, (and thereby are (over time) made able to serve Him in truth), will be with Jesus. This means that their life will be like the Apostle’s lives, and the live’s of all those that truly followed Jesus. Thus, you will find that He is constantly working His works, and we will inevitably be participating with Him in that work. He will make Himself manifest to them, and He will author their lives. Their prayers will come from the Holy Spirit, just as they did in Jesus and the Apostles. Therefore, He will answer their call because they are not praying from themselves but from Him, and He is the very expression of the Father’s will.

Finally, those who truly follow Him in this way will have the honor of God upon them. Not that they would rightly glory in themselves, for that is foolishness and darkness; it will immediately break fellowship with Him. However, being honored of God is a glorious and wonderful thing indeed. It is sweeter than honey to the spirit and soul of man. It reminds me of Paul’s statement about the true Jew, that “his praise is not from men but from God” (Romanes 2:29b). Walking, living in this manner results in great joy and peace in believing. It is also an ever-deepening awareness of the love of God for us, and for all.

How blessed is the man or woman who finds such salvation!

W