One command, two promises–how like Jesus! The command: “Follow me.” The promises: “Where I am, my servant also will be,” and “My Father will honor the one who serves me.”
Just as the scholar follows the teacher; just as the sheep follows the shepherd; just as the soldier follows the commanding officer, so too, the professing believer in Christ follows the Lord Jesus. There is a consistent command in Scripture, given by Jesus to His disciples–both then and now–for believers to follow Him. Matthew tells us:
"Come, follow me," Jesus said. (Matthew 4:19)
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)
“Obedience to Jesus’ command, Follow Me, is the key issue in every Christian’s life. As Jesus followed the Father’s will, so His disciples should follow their Lord whether the path leads to a cross or to some other difficult experience.” (Bible Knowledge Commentary)
The word follow carries with it a rich meaning. It is from the Greek word akoloutheo meaning: “To be an attendant, accompany, go with or follow; distinguished from the occasional and temporary following of Jesus by the crowds or individuals in general; the individual calling to follow Jesus involved abiding fellowship with Him, not only for the sake of learning as a student from his teacher but also for the sake of the salvation known or looked for, which presented itself in this fellowship; the first thing involved in following Jesus is a cleaving to Him in believing trust and obedience, those cleaving to Him also following His leading and acting according to His example.” (Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible, New Testament Lexical Aids).
As we believe what Christ says and strive to do what He commands–even with the smallest amount of knowledge and perhaps great infirmity, with little grace and dim hope, weak as we may be–Jesus declares that His followers belong to Him!
However, to serve Christ in name alone is rather easy work–the world is full of those proclaiming faith while all the while living their lives for themselves. Costing little and satisfying most people, this claim to faith lacks power because it is not grounded in truth. Our world deems those who follow Jesus with whole-hearted devotion and a willing mind foolish and often rewards them with ridicule, laughter, or opposition. Yet as believers, we are not to seek the praise of man, but of God. Jesus tells us earlier in John:
How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God? (John 5:44)
As believers, we are called to do the things that Christ has said, walk as He walked, go where He leads. God honors the servant who serves His Son. God will make amends for our worldly pain and loss.
“The reward is honour, true lasting honour, the highest honour; it is the honour that comes from God. Those who wait on Christ, God will honour. Those who serve Christ must humble themselves, and are commonly vilified by the world, in recompense of both which they shall be exalted in due time.” (Matthew Henry)
Take It to Heart
Christ and His servants shall never be parted–we shall be with Christ wherever He is–in paradise and in His glorious kingdom. Whatever the Master has, the servant shall have also. This is why the apostle Paul could so boldly state:
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)
THE MEANING OF "FOR" BY STEVE FINNELL
ReplyDelete"FOR"Defined: In order to obtain, to gain or acquire.
Matthew 26:28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.
Jesus shed His blood "for" the forgiveness of the sins of all those who obey His terms for pardon. "For" means in order to obtain forgiveness. "For" did not mean that Jesus shed His blood because the forgiveness of sins had already been granted.
Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Peter told them to repent, and be baptized "for" the forgiveness of sins. Peter did not tell them to repent, and be baptized because their sins had already been forgiven.
"For" means in order to obtain.
"For" does not mean already has obtained.
Although "for" is not stated in all of the follow Scriptures. "For" is certainly implied.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
Grace and faith are "for" salvation.
In order to obtain salvation, grace and faith are essential; grace precedes salvation and faith must precede salvation.
John 3:5 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Being born of water and the Spirit are "for" entry into the kingdom of God. You must be born of water and the Spirit in order to obtain entry in the kingdom of God. You are not born of water and the Spirit because you are already a member of God's kingdom.
Titus 3:5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteous, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
God's mercy is "for" salvation. The washing of regeneration (that being water baptism) is "for" salvation. Renewing by the Holy Spirit is "for" salvation. God's mercy, the washing of regeneration (water baptism), and renewing by the Holy Spirit are all in order to obtain salvation. God's mercy precedes salvation. You are not baptized because you are already saved. You are not renewed by the Holy Spirit because you have already been saved.
Romans 10:9 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;
Confessing Jesus as Lord is "for" salvation. Believing in your heart that God raised Jesus from the grave is "for" salvation. Confessing Jesus as Lord and believing God raised Him from the dead is in order to obtain salvation. You do not confess Jesus as Lord and believe God raised Him from the dead because you have already been saved.
Mark 16:16 He who has believed and been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
Believing is "for" salvation. Being baptized is "for" salvation. Belief and water baptism are in order to obtain salvation.
You do not believe because you have already been saved. You are not baptized because you have already been saved.
"FOR" means in order to obtain.
Jesus shed is blood in order that men might obtain forgiveness from sin. IT WAS "FOR" THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. (Matthew 26:28)
Men repent and are baptized in water so that they may obtain forgiveness from sins. THEY DO IT "FOR" THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.(Acts 2:38)
Although many claim that the "for" in Acts 2:38 really means ",because of" there is not one translation that I know of that translates it that way.
(All Scripture quotes from: NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE)
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