Christ Leads The Way

Jesus said to him, ‘If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.’” (John 21:22)

Hello, friends! I hope that you are well. To all those who are so kind to me to read or to share your comments: Thank You! I appreciate you!!

We’ve all been there. Someone said something to hurt your feelings. Another person talked about you to a fellow Christian. Or, a brother or sister in Christ did something that left you sad, angry, or even detached.

Many hold the idea that because there are what they deem hypocrites in the church, that it excuses them from doing what God would have them to do. Is that you?

I have had a few negative experiences among other believers. However, I do my best not to dwell on them and to forgive. I remember one time sitting on a pew crying throughout service because of feeling slighted in some way by other Christians. While I was disappointed, it did not deter my faith in Christ.

It’s so easy to focus on what other people are doing – especially when we feel it is a reason for us not doing the right thing or all that we can do to serve the Lord. If someone is mean, rude, unkind, or behaves in an un-Christlike manner, then it’s not difficult to adopt a mindset of indignation and not work with them or doing everything possible to show the love of Christ.

We must remember all that Jesus endured – the pain, the suffering, and the agony. He took on so much for you and me. He was spat upon, disrespected, slapped, beaten, bruised, and ultimately murdered. It was all so that we could have the opportunity to be saved and forgiven.

Notice Hebrews 12:3-4: “For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.”

Even though we experience difficulties at the hands of others at times, we must press forward and continue serving the Lord. After all, when we stand before the Lord in judgement, do you think saying something like, “Lord, I didn’t do this or that because they didn’t like me” or “It was because those church members rubbed me the wrong way” is going to work with God? According to Romans 14:12, “[E]ach of us shall give account of himself to God.” It’s not about what others are doing or saying.

Our eyes must be set on Jesus. Remember when Peter asked Jesus concerning John, “But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus replied, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me” (John 21:21, 22). In my mind I read that as, “What does that have to do with you? That’s none of your business. YOU follow Me.”

Are you making excuses? Or, are you following Jesus?

Let’s get busy serving the Lord!

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