FAITH CAPSULE: We are to sacrificially serve Him acceptably.

John 12:23-32

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 stated, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgement, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” To fear God and to keep His command is encased in seeking God. When man knows to seek God, man will serve God. In serving God is to follow Him. Jesus declared clearly, “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.”(John 12:26) The conclusion of the whole matter is: Seek God, serve God, and follow Him so that the Father will honor you.
Seeking God leads to serving Him. In serving God we follow Him. Jesus declared clearly, “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.”(John 12:26)
Are you serving God fully or you are serving Him for your material gain? Apostle Paul encourages, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1)
We are to sacrificially serve Him acceptably. Jesus did not only ask for us to serve Him but He declared, “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me…” Following Jesus means putting all away to follow Him. Following Him is stepping after the same way that He stepped while He was on the face of earth.
Jesus gave His disciples His own expectation of how to follow Him, “When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Mark 8:34) Do you have desire to come after Jesus? Jesus made fisher men of those who desired to follow Him. The book of Matthew 4:19 recorded, “Then He said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” It is clear that serving Him is following Him. Following Him is sacrifice by giving up everything for Him. To follow Him is not to be a spectator but to learn and to become fishers of men. Jesus’ request from man to follow Him does not identify Him a slave master. Jesus declared His reward for all that follows Him, “…Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matthew 19:28) Serve Him fully and there shall be a full reward.

Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace that will enable you to serve Him fully by following Him.