Come follow v24n8

Come follow?

Part 2

V24 n8

Matthew 16:24, Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. KJV

Many have said to Him, many will say to Him that they will come follow Him; however, most will find some kind of excuse not to continue the journey, and not follow Him to eternal life. (We are able to see some clear depictions of this in Luke 9:57-62, Matthew 8:19-22, and in Luke 6:45-46). Many do want to follow Him, but few are able to recognize or realize how tied they are to the people, places and things of this present world, which continually pulls them back, or holds them back from doing that which the Word asks of them.

To come follow Him, is easy for most to say, but becomes quite a different thing, when one has to learn to put the body of flesh in subjection to the Spirit of God. This can only happen and come about, if one totally commits themselves to the Father by and through Christ Jesus.

The lifestyle that Jesus Christ led, as we can see clearly depicted within the gospels, shows us how one should live in obedience to the Father and His Word. This is the life that one should be living, and the clear instructions that the epistles give us in how to live according to His Word.

Paul tells us that our words should be always with grace. This is the example that Jesus Christ displayed during His public ministry. This is the way, established by hearing and obeying the truth of God’s Word, that is able to lead a person to eternal life.

John 12:48-50, 48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. 49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. KJV

We will look at Adam Clarke’s commentary concerning these verses, as he gives us vivid illustration of what is being addressed by the Lord in these verses.

[The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him] Ye shall be judged according to my doctrine: the maxims which ye have heard from my mouth shall be those on which ye shall be tried in the great day; and ye shall be condemned or acquitted according as ye have believed or obeyed them, or according as ye have despised and violated them. See this proved, <Matt. 25:35-40>, etc. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)

We will be judged by whether or not we follow the example that the Lord set for us to follow. Its is by our words we will be justified, or by our words we will be condemned. The words that Jesus Christ always spoke, were Spirit, and they produced life. Anything other then this, will place one in opposition to God.

[For I have not spoken of myself] I have not spoken for my secular interest: I have not aimed at making any gain of you: I have not set up myself as your teachers in general do, to be supported by my disciples, and to be credited on my own testimony. I have taught you, not the things of men, but the deep, everlasting truths of God. As his envoy, I came to you; and his truth only I proclaim. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)

Jesus Christ only spoke the words He heard the Father speak. This is the example that we too should be following and setting. Yet, is this what always proceeds forth from your mouth? One cannot have blessings and cursing coming from the same place.

[Gave me a commandment] Or, commission. So I understand the original word, entoleen (grk 1785). Christ, as the Messiah, received his commission from God: what he should command-- everything that related to the formation and establishment of the Christian institution: and what he should speak-- all his private conversations with his disciples or others, he, as man, commanded and spoke through the constant inspiration of the Holy Spirit. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)

Note how Clarke phrases this: (command-- everything that related to the formation and establishment of the Christian institution). And then place it in context with what Jesus Christ said in these following verses: John 14:15, If ye love me, keep my commandments. (KJV) and John 14:23, Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (KJV) The Word that He delivered to us, is how one should live and pattern their life after. This is supposed to be a moment by moment thing, not just when one thinks other people are watching, or when one thinks it may be convenient. Each and every word a person speaks, should be to place the grace of God on the scene.

[I know that this commandment is life everlasting] These words of our Lord are similar to that saying in John's first epistle, <1 John 5:11-12>. This is the record, that God hath given unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life. God's commandment or commission is, Preach salvation to a lost world, and give thyself a ransom for all; and whosoever believeth on thee shall not perish, but have everlasting life. Every word of Christ, properly credited, and carefully applied, leads to peace and happiness here, and to glory hereafter. What an amiable view of the Gospel of the grace of God does this give us! It is a system of eternal life, divinely calculated to answer every important purpose to dying, miserable man. This sacred truth Jesus witnessed with his last breath. He began his public ministry proclaiming the kingdom of God; and he now finishes it by asserting that the whole commission is eternal life; and, having attested this, he went out of the temple, and retired to Bethany. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)

Everything that a person does, every action, every word, every thought, should be to make more progress to and for eternal life with Him. Yes, in the world we may have tribulation, but the Lord said to be of good cheer, for He has overcome the world. He set the pattern and example that we too can follow.

The public work of our Lord was now done; and the remnant of his time, previously to his crucifixion, he spent in teaching his disciples-- instructing them in the nature of his kingdom, his intercession, and the mission of the Holy Spirit; and in that heavenly life which all true believers live with the Father, through faith in the Son, by the operation of the Holy Spirit. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)

1. That every minister of religion should have a deep and abiding conviction that he delivers a message that is to be connected with the eternal welfare of his hearers. And,

2. Under the influence of this belief, he should fearlessly deliver his message in the face of bonds, poverty, contempt, persecution, and death. (from Barnes' Notes)

The entire ministry of Jesus Christ points us to obedience to the Message that He delivered to us that was given to Him by the Father, that will bring us into that relationship with the Father, that we may be adopted into His family. This is the example that we should be following. Yet, many will follow the crowd that try to make or take short-cuts into the kingdom. They will follow traditions, and rituals, and customs, which man has made, rather then choosing to follow the Word. It is a strait gate, and a narrow way that leads to everlasting life, and the Bible clearly tells us that it is a small number that are able to locate it. It can only be navigated and completed by full compliance with the Word that Father has given us by and through Christ Jesus, as we allow His Spirit to lead us and guide us into the truth of His Word. Who or what will you choose to follow this day?

That you may know Him,

In the service of Jesus Christ.

Larry Gazelka