"What Is That To Thee? Follow Thou Me?"  

John 21:22

 

     The Lord Jesus had told Peter what he must do and suffer for the glory of God. Then Peter asked the Lord about John, "And what shall this man do?" To which Christ replied, "What is that to thee? Follow thou me." May the Spirit of God graciously teach us the meaning of our Lord's words and give us grace to obey him.

     IF WE WOULD FOLLOW CHRIST, WE MUST NOT CONCERN OURSELVES WITH THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF OTHERS. All God's people labor together to preach the gospel, feed his sheep and promote his glory. But each individual believer is the Lord's servant. We must recognize that every man stands or falls before his own Master (Rom. 14:4). And we must each be concerned with our own responsibilities. We gladly help others (pastors, missionaries, churches, etc.) as they serve Christ. But we must never seek to govern them in their service for Christ. And we must not allow anyone to turn us aside from our own responsibilities. I am not responsible for what God has called anyone else to do. But I am responsible for what he has called me to do. What God does with you is his business. What you do for God is your business and his, not mine. And what I do for God is my business and his, not yours.

     IF WE WOULD FOLLOW CHRIST, WE MUST NOT CONCERN OURSELVES WITH FOOLISH AND UNLEARNED QUESTIONS (II Tim. 2:22-24). Many spend their time and energy seeking to discover the origin of evil, the mysteries of prophecy, etc. They are beating the air, serving no useful purpose. Let us ever avoid their folly. To follow Christ is to study him, imitate him, preach him and seek to honor him.

     IF WE WOULD FOLLOW CHRIST, WE MUST NOT CONCERN OURSELVES WITH OUR OWN PERSONAL INTERESTS, NEEDS, OR RELATIONS (Matt. 6:31-34; II Tim. 2:8-10). I am God's servant. My only concern must be to serve and obey him. He is a good Master. He will supply my every need. It is ours only to follow Christ, regardless of what our families may do, regardless of personal costs, regard- less of personal preference. And we must do so willing- ly! Every believer ought to be like Jephthah (Judg. 11:36). Having once opened our mouths to the Lord, having once lifted our hands in allegiance to him, we must not go back. We must not consider any sacrifice too great for Christ, who gave his all for us.

 

Don Fortner