Following Our Lord's Lead

1THESS. 1:6-9

Subject: Discipleship

Theme: Authentic conversion result in altered lifestyles of grace as we decidedly follow our Lord’s lead.  

Introduction:

Just as the Lord Jesus invited His very first disciples to follow His lead, He still today summons us to a journey of a lifetime. The fact is we all will follow someone’s lead—permit another to influence the course we choose. Sometimes we are fully aware and make conscious decisions respective to a certain bit of advice, a necessary change of trajectory, a new more appealing career path, or to a prestigious university. Other times we follow another’s lead rather unaware…. Fashion trends, catch phrases, buzzwords, popular hair styles and the like are adopted without any idea of their origins. Yeah, following the crowd is alive and well.

In contrast, the Thessalonian believers had been gloriously saved and are consciously following the example of Paul and our Lord Jesus Christ. They know who is shaping their dreams, honing their values, fashioning their plans, and charting their course! While mere men will always follow mere men, Christ calls us to follow Him as the Lord of our existence and purpose. Beloved, our lives take on fuller and richer meaning when we are walking in Christ’s steps! Since we all will follow somebody, are you willing to follow Him?

It was Dr. Wiersbe who said, “From the very inception of this church, Paul looked to them with joy and gratitude as Christians worthy of the name. They were examples in several areas of their lives.” (The Bible Exposition Commentary)

So then…what can we learn from their example? How can we follow the Lord today?

Lesson:

A.     BY FOLLOWING HIS WAY (VS. 6)

1.      This Involves His Preachers (vs. 6) “followers of us”

a. Clearly this is the normal Christian experience. They became imitators of their spiritual parents, the missionaries.

b.Certainly Paul was careful to live a pure, real, and devoted life to Christ.

1.      1 Cor 11:1,   Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

2.      1 Cor 4:14-17, I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. 15, For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16, Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. [Bear spiritual children as soul winners] 17, For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

3.      The first introduction to the Lord Jesus for many lost people will be through your life as a Christian. It is sobering to think that people are supposed to be able to see Christ in us. We should be able to say with Paul, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1).

4.      Clearly Paul encouraged believers to become his imitators in his tireless love and service for his fellow believers also.

c. Preachers and Christian leaders have a responsibility to be wholesome example for other believers to follow. Unfortunately many reject Christ because of a preacher or Christian worker with a poor testimony.

1.      1 Tim 4:12, Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word [expressions and communications], in conversation [lifestyle, behavior], in charity [volitional love, acts of love by choice], in spirit [mental disposition or excited attitude], in faith [belief & fidelity]  in purity.[chastity and cleanness]

2.      1 Pet 5:3, Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

d.One reason sinners avoid churches is the hypocrisy of Christians (See Matt 23).  The Church may have a bad reputation in the community.

1.      Example & Experiences in Schweinfurt

2.      As witnessing believers we must guard our lives against hypocrisy and make sure that we are living for Christ sincerely.  WHY? Because others are watching and following us—some child, some adult, some neighbor, some friend, some co-worker.  Therefore it behooves us to follow Christ as devotedly as possible.

2.      This Involves His Person (vs. 6) “followers…of the Lord”

a. They also went on to imitate the Lord. This too is natural, and the order is true to all our experiences. A new Christian first looks to other believers as his pattern, but then as he matures he realizes that Jesus Christ is his best “model” (1 Peter 2:21).

b.Jesus is the believer’s true leader in life!  It is Christ we must live to imitate ultimately! Christ still commands us to “follow” him. 

c. The primary goal is always to help people walk with the Lord personally and intimately. 

B.     BY RECEIVING HIS WORD (VS. 6-7) (Salvation—Regeneration)

1.      The Word was key to their Pardon (vs. 6) “having received the Word”

a. The Gospel came to them through the ministry of Paul and his associates.  The Holy Spirit used the Word in great power, and the Thessalonians responded by receiving both the message and the messengers.

b.In spite of the persecution in Philippi, Paul and Silas had been “bold... to speak... the Gospel” (1 Thes. 2:2); and the people believed and were saved. They never lost that eagerness for the Word of God (1 Thes. 2:13).

c. We must believe and receive the Word to be saved (2Tim. 3:15; Rom. 10:8; Jas. 1:18; 1Pet. 1:23; Jn. 1:13)

2.      The Word was their Priority (vs. 6) “in much affliction”

a. They received the word in spite of affliction.1Thes 1:6,  …having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

1.      There was great trouble in the city because of Paul’s witness and the unbelieving Jews of Acts 17. 

2.      Persecution was heavy and hard on these new Christians and the threat was real to those who were contemplating salvation.  But they believed anyway!  

b.Despite severe suffering the Thessalonians welcomed the message.

1.      The Jews among them must have felt the hatred of their unbelieving brothers who were especially antagonistic to the gospel in that city.

2.      The Gentile converts must have had to swim against the swift current of paganism that flowed like a torrent through the conduit of commercial Thessalonica.

3.      The city’s chief men’s wives, who had become Christians, had to go home to unbelieving husbands who would not have appreciated their newly sensitized consciences.

4.      But still they trusted Christ; God had arrested their souls through the gospel!

c. Persecution has always been a friend of Christianity, not an enemy. 

1.      It insured that those professing Christians were true converts.

2.      The Martyrs testified to the reality and supremacy of Christ, therefore winning others through their testimony and blood!

d.What place does the Word occupy in your priorities? Don’t allow the response of others to discourage you from coming to Christ.

3.      The Word was their Pleasure (vs. 6) “joy in the Holy Ghost”

a. They received the word with joy.  

1.      Yet in spite of trials without, the Thessalonian believers possessed joy within, the joy of sins forgiven. It is interesting that Christians who have tribulations in their daily walks often seem to have greater joy in the Lord than those who live in more comfortable spiritual climates. A Christian’s joy should be determined not by his circumstances but by his relationship with Christ. This was true of the Thessalonians. The source of their joy was the indwelling Holy Spirit. –The Bible Knowledge Commentary

2.      Joy rises above circumstances and focuses on the very character of God (Ps.71:14-16; 21:1; 71:23; 31:7; 33:1-6). God's characteristics and actions are the cause for rejoicing.

3.      The Lord also affords joy through His Word.  The Word imparts faith (Rom. 10:17) and brings joy (Acts 8:8, 39; Jer. 15:16).

b.The joy we need is:

1.      Produced by the Spirit of God (Gal. 5:22).

2.      Looks beyond the present to our future (Rom. 5:2; 8:18; 1Pet. 1:4, 6).

3.      Looks to our sovereign God, who works out all things for our ultimate good, which is Christ-likeness (Rom. 8:28-30).

c. This kind of joy is different from mere happiness. It is possible, even in the midst of sorrow (2 Cor. 6:10; 7:4).

4.      The Word was their Practice (vs. 7) “ye were examples to all”

a. They made good impressions on others locally and abroad; Christ could be seen in their lives.  Matt. 5:14-16—this is vitally important!

b.Their faithfulness to follow Christ made them a model for others.  As an evangelist I am to model real Christianity; also as a parent, as a citizen, as a friend, as a husband, as a church member, as an employee I am charged by Christ to be the correct kind of example for others.

C.     BY SHARING HIS WITNESS (VS. 8-9)

1.      They Spread the Word Thoroughly (vs. 8) “you sounded out the world of the Lord”

a. They “Sounded Out” the Gospel—they preached Christ or sounded the Gospel Trumpet and it had a rippling effect throughout all Greece and beyond.  Like the ripples in a pool the word of the Lord spread out in ever-widening circles: first in Macedonia and Achaia and then every place else.

1.      “Every Place” points to Thessalonica as not only the capitol of Macedonia but also a great commercial center where tradesmen and businessmen visited from all over the world. 

2.      Secondly, the city of Thessalonica was situated on the Egnatian Highway which was a major Roman highway connecting east and west.  (Aegean and Adriatic Coasts)

3.      Because the church took advantage of its natural opportunities, they were successful in getting the gospel out to much of what would become modern Greece. 

4.      But what about us?  I can recall serving the Lord for years as a pastor to military families and European nationals. In a military work we had the opportunity to touch every church the members transitioned into from there.  We took the gospel to regions where missionaries cannot go via Uncle Sam.  We ministered to the refugees and European nationals there who went back to their home lands to reach the people there with the Gospel.  We need to seriously think about the opportunities God affords us individually and collectively!

b.They were known for their zealous mission work (Vs 8)   “but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad...” (See also 2Cor 8:1-3). What kind of reputation do we have in our home, city, community, or region?  Is there a zeal for spreading the gospel to the world?

2.      They Served God Exclusively (vs. 9) “turned to God from idols”

a. They were changed radically by the gospel (Vs 9)

b.They had turned to God from idols

1.      The church was comprised of both Jews and Greeks (Acts 17:2-4). Some were complete heathens, idol worshipers, and pagans, but now they have been saved and are living for God.

2.      This proves that no one is beyond the grace of God and salvation.

3.      Thessalonica was a wealthy city and it attracted it share of sensual pagan religions (1 Thess. 4:3-5) and other vices.  The population was about 200,000 people. 

4.      Cultured, affluent, impoverished, pedigree, idolatry, religious, educated, or corrupted…it does not matter if the sinner will repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Weather it is a professor at Harvard University or a savage head hunter in the South American jungles.  They are not beyond the grace of God! God can save the hard cases!

c. They exercised faith in Christ first with the result that their idols were forsaken.

1.      It was not mere reformation but genuine regeneration—repentance and faith!  They didn’t clean up their lives to get saved! They simply were saved and God cleaned up their lives afterwards!

2.      This change also means that they were so satisfied with Jesus that they dropped their idols! It wasn’t that they became fed up with their idols and then decided to give God a chance.  No they turn to God and found HIM so satisfying that they dropped their idols. 

3.      If you are not satisfied with Jesus, it is because you are looking for him in the wrong place! Christ satisfies (Jn. 4:14; 6:35)!

d.They Now Served The Living and True God. (Vs 3 and vs 8)

1.      Now they were Sunday school teachers, discipleship workers, deacons, pastors, missionaries and evangelist! They became godly moms, dads, teens, and youths…and so can we.   

2.      They have turned from idols to serve the living and true God!

3.      They Served God Encouragingly.

a. Their steadfastness in the Lord was a real source of encouragement for Paul

1.      Persecution and difficulty will discourage your average person.  But not these infant Christians!

2.      No doubt Paul could recall the excitement he had when God first called him to Macedonia.  (Act 16:6-10)

3.      I’m sure he was a little discouraged because of the opposition and difficulties which came so frequently, thereby hindering and frustrating his work.   

b.But now his heart explodes into words of praise and thanksgiving for what God did in these precious lives.

1.      He rejoiced for the steadfastness of the people of God in the midst of their persecutions!  There is no greater encouragement then seeing your church and new converts progressing in the Lord.

2.      God provided his servant with the encouragement he needed at the very moment he needed it. 

3.      Ultimately, child of God, we are not called to be terminals for blessings but channels through which God’s blessings can flow.  God wants to shine in our lives so that His light can shine through us unto others.  “Who is it that God wants you to be a channel of blessing to?”

Conclusion: 

Simply stated, a few believers went into a heathen city with the word of the Lord Jesus.  They preached in the power of the Spirit and people were saved—regenerated!  Men and Women became so enraptured with the Savior that they abandoned their idols. As a result we see an assembly of believers praising God, living lives of holiness, bravely enduring persecution, and winning others to Christ.  True the Lord’s service is the prince of callings!

No matter how hideous and wicked our society is, the miracle of regeneration will still make a difference.  We can still live for God if we really want to!  Daniel is a beautiful illustration of one who lived for God in spite of his surrounding wicked culture! You can still progress in the faith if you really want to!

If you labor in spiritual things you can be reassured that our labor is not in vain in the Lord. We need not be threatened by the wickedness of our day, but be concerned with the sounding out of the Gospel.  As we do, we have God’s promise that it will not return to Him void.   Isa 55:11, So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Don’t give up on the ‘hard cases’ whether they are harden sinners or religious lost people.  Keep praying and witnessing as the Lord affords opportunity, and he will save these also. Beloved, this is how we decidedly follow our Lord’s lead. 

What Does Jesus Expect of His Followers Today?

In daily life, what does real righteousness look like? What does Jesus really expect of His followers today? The Beattitudes and the Sermon on the Mount answers the question of what authentic righteousness is—what Christians are to be and do. Along with many other highly regarded Christian authors, Dr. Wiersbe describes the Sermon on the Mount as what human life and human community look like when they come under the gracious rule of God. Here is a Christian value-system, ethical standard, spiritual devotion, attitude toward money, ambition, lifestyle, and network of relationships—all of which are totally different from those of the non-Christian world.

But how should we approach this passage in Matthew's Gospel on the Beattitudes? It would be to our advantage to keep these observations in mind:

• The Focus is on the Blessings of Righteous Character.  Being a master Teacher, our Lord did not begin this important sermon with a negative criticism of the scribes and Pharisees. He began with a positive emphasis on righteous character and the blessings that it brings to the life of the believer.

• The Focus is On Internal Actuality and Not Only External Activity. The Pharisees taught that righteousness was an external thing, a matter of obeying rules and regulations. Righteousness could be measured by praying, giving, fasting, etc. In the Beatitudes and the pictures of the believer, Jesus described Christian character that flowed from within.

• The Focus is On the Internal Condition of the Soul, and Not the Environment Surrounding Us. Imagine how the crowd’s attention was riveted on Jesus when He uttered His first word: “Blessed.”
• This was a powerful word, which meant “divine joy and perfect happiness.” It was not used for humans; it described the kind of joy experienced only by the ‘gods’ or the dead.

• “Blessed” implied an inner satisfaction and sufficiency that did not depend on outward circumstances for happiness. This is what the Lord offers those who trust Him!

• Blessed means “happy, fortunate, blissful.” Not a mere surface or shallow emotion. Jesus was describing the divinely-bestowed well-being that belongs only to the faithful child of God.

• The Beatitudes demonstrate that the way to heavenly blessedness is the opposite of the worldly path normally followed in pursuit of happiness.
• The worldly idea is that happiness is found in riches, merriment, abundance, leisure, and such things.
• The real truth is the very opposite. The Beatitudes give Jesus’ description of the character of true righteousness.
• The Beatitudes describe the attitudes that ought to be in our lives today. Four attitudes are described here.

What Is True Righteousness?  (Matt. 5:1–6)

A.   A Right Attitude Towards Self (V. 3). “Blessed are the poor in spirit”

1. Our Role is Explained (5:3 A): God Blesses Us When We Realize Our Need For Him.

To be poor in spirit means to be humble, to have a correct estimate of oneself (Rom. 12:3).

a.      Consider What Poor in Spirit is Not.

1.      It does not mean to be “poor spirited” and have no backbone at all!

2.      It is not a false humility that says, “I am not worth anything, I can’t do anything!”

3.      This does not refer to natural disposition even, but to one’s deliberate choice and discipline.

4.      “Poor in spirit” is the opposite of the world’s attitudes of self-praise, self-promotion, self-aggrandizement, and self-assertion. It is the opposite of self-sufficiency.

b.      Consider What Poor in Spirit is.

1.      The deep humility of recognizing one’s utter spiritual bankruptcy apart from God. It describes those who are acutely conscious of their own lost condition and hopelessness apart from God’s grace.

·        Matthew 9:12, But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.  

·        Luke 18:13, And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

2.      In this humble honesty with ourselves we look to God to help us: know ourselves, accept ourselves, and try to become what He recreated us to be for the glory of God.

3.      We are poor in spirit when we acknowledge our own helplessness and rely on God’s omnipotence.

4.      We must sense our own spiritual need and find our supply in the Lord.

2. Our Reward is Explained (5:3 B): The Kingdom Of Heaven Is Given To Us.

a. Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

1.      Jesus was teaching that the kingdom is a gracious gift to those who sense their own poverty of spirit.

2.      Beloved the truth of salvation by grace is clearly presupposed in this opening verse of the Sermon on the Mount.

3.      The message is not for the lost, but for the saved.

c.       The kingdom of heaven, is where self-sufficiency is not a virtue and self-exaltation is a vice, this spiritual kingdom of Christ belongs to genuinely humble believers right now.

1.      James 4:10, Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

2.      1 Peter 5:6-7, Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: [7] Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

3.      Proverbs 29:23, A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

4.      Isaiah 2:11, The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.

5.      Luke 18:9-14, And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: [10] Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. [11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. [12] I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. [13] And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

 B. A Right Attitude Towards Sin (Vv. 4–6). 

1. We Mourn Over Sin And Despise It. “Blessed are they that mourn”

We see sin the way God sees it and seek to treat it the way God does. Those who cover, excuse, explain away, rationalize, or defend their sin certainly have the wrong attitude.

a. Our Role is Defined: God Blesses Those Who Mourn (5:4 A).

1.      They that mourn.  Mourning over sin is the correct attitude, the godly sorrow that produces repentance leading to salvation without any regret (2 Cor. 7:10).

2.      This does not refer to mourning because of the unfavorable situations of life.

3.      This is the sorrow which one experiences because of fellowship with the Lord Jesus. It is an active sharing of the world’s hurt and sin with Jesus.

a.       Therefore, it includes, not only sorrow for one’s own sin,

b.      But also sorrow because of the world’s appalling condition,

c.       The World’s rejection of the Savior, and the doom of those who refuse His mercy.

b. Our Reward is Defined: We Will Be Comforted (5:4 B).

We who mourn are blessed because a day of comfort awaits us.

1.      The “comfort” is the blessing of forgiveness and pardon.

·        Isaiah 40:1-2, Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. [2] Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins.  (1Jn. 1:9; Jer. 33:8)

2.      The “comfort” is the blessing of renewed fellowship and strength.

•      Isaiah 12:1-2, And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. [2] Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

3.      We who mourn now will be comforted in the coming day also when “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” (Rev. 21:4). Believers do all their mourning in this life; for unbelievers, today’s grief is only a foretaste of eternal sorrow.   

2.      We Meekly Submit to God’s Will.  “Blessed are the meek”

We not only mourn over our sins, but we should also meekly submit to God (Luke 18:9–14; Phil. 3:3–10).

a. The Role (5:5 A): God Blesses The Meek/Gentle And Lowly.

1.      Meekness Is The Opposite Of Being Out Of Control.

·        It is supreme self-control empowered by the Spirit (Gal. 5:23).

·        “Meekness-- an attitude of humility toward God and gentleness toward people, springing from a recognition that God is in control”  –Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary

2.      Meekness Is Not Weakness, For Both Moses And Jesus Were Meek Men (Num. 12:3; Matt. 11:29).

a.       Although weakness and meekness may look similar, they are not the same.

1.      Weakness is due to negative circumstances, such as lack of strength or lack of courage.

2.      But meekness is due to a person’s conscious choice. It is strength and courage under control, coupled with kindness.

b.      By nature we may be volatile, harsh, grouchy, temperamental, and gruff.

c.       But by purposefully taking Christ’s spirit on us, we become meek (adaptable, tolerant, subdued, pliable); there is a gentleness of strength about the believer submitted to the Spirit’s control (Matt. 11:29).

3.      This word “meek” describe a horse that has been broken. It refers to power under control for the purpose of satisfying God’s will.

a.       Meekness implies acceptance of one’s own lowly position.

b.      The meek person is gentle and mild in his own cause, though he may be a lion in God’s cause or in defending others.

b. The Reward (5:5 B): The Whole Earth Will Belong To Us.

1. A Third Blessing Is Pronounced On The Meek: they shall inherit the earth.

a.       The meek do not now inherit the earth;

b.      Rather we currently inherit abuse, mistreatment, disregard and dispossession.

c.       But we will literally inherit the earth when Christ, the King, reigns for a thousand years in peace and prosperity.

2. This Promise Gives Us The Strength To Be Patient and Tolerant In Unfair Conditions.

a.       We know God’s in control. Therefore, we don’t have a need to always fight, challenge, or demand our rights.

b.      Many times a failure to “Submit to God’s Will” leads us into sin!

c.       But, if we Graciously Bear Up Under the Mistreatment Now, The Entire Earth will be ours when it’s worth having (Ps. 37:11).

This is only the beginning of our examination of our Lord's legitimate expectations for us as His followers. We have seen that we are to have a right attitude about self and sin from His Sermon on the Mount. The next or sequel to this post will afford us additional insight into Christ's designs for the Christian experience. I sincerely hope you will continue with me through this exploration of our Lord's expectations and blessings. 

It has been well observed, that no comment could be more hurtful to the Christian than the words “But you are no different from anybody else.” One recurring motif throughout the entire Bible from beginning to end is that God purposes to call out a people for Himself. Such privileged individuals are to be reserved exclusively for His purposes, pleasure, and excellent glory. We do not belong to the world; we do belong to Him. As such we want to honor and obey Him. Our focus is to be true to our spiritual identity, that is, to be “righteous” in all our outlook and behavior.

The LORD Is My Shepherd!

The LORD Is My Shepherd!

The LORD is My Shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1)

Our great God is portrayed as a faithful Shepherd caring for, providing for, protecting, and guiding His sheep.  According to this imagery, we Believers are His sheep, but not dumb, frighten, and passive animals. Instead our prescribed role is one of submissive disciples wisely following our Lord’s faithful leadership. This is the instructive illustration God desires for us to grasp. He wants to lead us into green pastures, beside still waters, and even through the valley of the shadow of death when the time comes. This means life with our Lord at every twist, turn, and fork in the road. His Presence and wonderful company every step of the way is our grand allotment.

Following this reasoning, complications like anxieties related to provisions, worries about the future, or over-wrought concerns over present circumstances are largely out of place. These do not fit Christ's disciples as they dog the heels of Jehovah, our Shepherd! If we often struggle in these areas, it indicates our faith and confidence in the Shepherd is inadequate. Steps must be taken to familiarize ourselves with His leadership and glorious Person. Feeding in the green pastures of His Word with diligence and concentration is the key to dislodging such concerns. The more truth fills our perspectives, the more our hearts assume a posture of rest and repose in His wisdom, power, grace, and love. "Still waters" will characterize our minds instead of turbulent seas; knowing Him brings peace and quiet to the soul of His followers.

Since the LORD is our Shepherd, we "shall not want"! We shall not want for care, provisions, protection, or guidance. Our Shepherd has a firm hand on all these concerns. If we presume to take on these legitimate points of interest independently and move unilaterally without our Shepherd, He will allow deviations for a season. But, why would anyone forsake the leadership and guidance of the Lord Jesus? Actually, a number of reasons come to mind. Perhaps we have come to believe we are missing out on something--pleasure, prosperity, a certain person of interest, or a "great" opportunity for career advancement. Perhaps we think something is missing so we wander off looking for whatever we perceive is missing. We confuse the potency of a desire with legitimacy. Actions are justified merely because the wandering sheep "feels" they need this, that or the other. Many rationalize their actions by the fact that they want something or someone so much; it has to be right or good, they reason. In reality and in moments of sanity, we freely admit that we do not need everything we want! However, in the interest of complete transparency, we all could honestly sing the old hymn, "prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love." Though sheep sometimes wander off, real satisfaction is found only with the Shepherd of our souls.

We are much better off living in concert and harmony with the will of our faithful Shepherd! He is always there for us, His sheep. This is because He actually values us. Think about that! And why should His people be faithful to Him? Well, characteristically, His disciples have certain direction, abundant provisions, security in Christ, spiritual satisfaction, and peace flowing like a river. In addition, we a privileged to walk with our Shepherd to enjoy His company every day. What could be better than life with God? Beloved, this is an absolutely luxurious spiritual provision! Though we are completely dependent on our Shepherd LORD, we enjoy the journey as we follow Him. There really is no good thing that we stand in need of. Why not forsake the life plagued with fears and anxieties by consciously choosing to follow the Divine Shepherd.

Prove the Sincerity of Your Love....

 What is it that stirs, stimulates, and inspires us to take action? Is it a desire for distinction, prestige, or the nature of the need? Could it be we are driven by professionalism, reputation, or to sustain a certain image? What about heroism or courage? Perhaps it is humanitarianism or old fashion kindness that moves us to share ourselves, time, and substance with another. Can we know our love is sincere—free of any pretense? Paul identifies just three specific motivations that often fuel followers of our Lord Jesus. Certainly there are other high impetuses such as hope, faith, and God’s glory, but here he writes,

I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. 9, For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)

The actions of our hands are rightly tethered to the motives of our hearts. We well understand our motives and actions matter greatly to God. On the one hand, we can simply act on a command out of respect, obligation, and a pure sense of responsibility. In another scenario, we may strictly follow the very good examples of worthy models who have done right and well in the eyes of the Lord. Still yet, we might possibly take action because our hearts are genuinely filled with the love of God. “Sincerity” (2 Cor. 8:8) uncompromisingly demands harmony between the heart and hands! Anything else is a form of pretense—a kind of hypocrisy.

Clearly these motives are not mutually exclusive; of the three options (duty, example, and love), love is the highest. Accordingly, note the essential nature of this higher impulse and what distinguishes agape-love from the others. This love is “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 8:9). While it is true that love moved our Lord to leave the excellent glories of Heaven, become a man, live as a servant, persist penniless, and suffer through Gethsemane, Gabbatha, and Golgotha (Rom. 5:8); this love is a form of “grace” towards us undeserving sinners (2 Cor. 8:9). In our passage this “grace” is demonstrated through literally giving Himself entirely, selflessly, and sacrificially for our spiritual welfare. Calvary is the most extravagant and epic form of generosity to ever walk across the stage of history (John 3:16)! Who then can justifiably withhold anything from Christ Jesus?

We too can give of ourselves out of pure obligation, to follow worthy examples, or out of this holy sacrificial love. This brand of love exemplified and exercised by our Lord is portrayed in the Word as one of the highest motivations for Believers (1 Cor. 13:13).  Agape-love is characteristically selfless, sacrificial, unconditional, generous, serving, and transforming. Such love could only be inspired in us by the Lord Jesus Christ who is most gracious! It is a substantial undertaking then “to prove the sincerity of your love.”