“If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”
Do we honestly serve God? If we really do, it will show in our lives. It will be open to scrutiny by others, including unbelievers (whether they like us or hate us). Many today feebly say that their faith is their own private business. This is either a lie, or a very warped way to look at faith!
We are to be an open book to all (if we are not driven ‘underground’ by evil men), our faith emblazoned on our foreheads. Everyone will perceive that we follow Christ and do His bidding. Do you think an ordinary man can literally be alongside a king, and the king knows nothing about him? No, a man in such an intimate position will be vetted to the extreme. If anything is amiss, he will not be allowed anywhere near the king.
Yet, modern Christians think that saying “I am a Christian” is sufficient! John says that if we serve Christ then we will follow Him. To ‘serve’ means the same as being a deacon. The word does not just apply to a few men in a church – it refers to anyone who has a ministry. And THAT means everybody who claims salvation!
A lot of modern deacons act like high-ranking officials. Not so!
A church deacon is a servant of both Christ and the congregation. Hence Christ said that wherever He is, so will be the servant. Whatever work He does, we will do. We cannot get away with entering a local church on Sunday and leaving it at that… we ALL have a ministry when we walk alongside the Lord as His servant. And THIS means being just like Him in every way.
The text tells us we must ‘follow’ Him. Thus, we literally say what he says and do what He does, and we ‘side with his party’. He has our complete allegiance. Do we really show this union with Christ? God honours all who follow the Son. Do we??
© 23 July 2024
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Published on www.christiandoctrine.com
Bible Theology Ministries
Swansea
Wales
United Kingdom