SERVING HIM - TRULY
Gary Waddell – Victory Ministries Middle TN   4/3/2018

If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my  servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

John 12:26

Definition of Loyalty: A strong feeling of support or allegiance.

 In a marriage, or even a job situation, we are expected to show our loyalty. That means, in a marriage for example, our commitment is to our spouse only. To any other is disloyalty, or simply put, unfaithful.

In the workplace, if a man works for a company (company A) that sells a certain product, and that individual promotes another company’s (say company B) ‘similar product’, that could easily be considered disloyal. What that person is saying is that the company that pays him, has a product that is inferior or perhaps too expensive. If he steers customers to another company, it could be injurious to the company (A) he works for, even in a small way. So it can still be considered disloyal. He is not serving his employer by dividing his loyalty.

When we receive Christ as our LORD as in John 1:12, (Please read this verse again: "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God (children of God), even to them that believe on his name:", we become Christ’s through our profession of faith. We are saying that we belong to Him and Him only (and we follow up and express that through a willing believer’s baptism). If we say we ‘follow’ Jesus, that means we are to “serve Jesus Christ.”  Sadly, so many in the world today say they “belong” but actually serve the world.  In reality they are “unfaithful” or more than likely, a counterfeit (2 Cor 13:5). A self-examination might be a good idea for those who want to live by the world’s standards and rules.  The Bible states in 1 John 2:6: He that saith he abideth in him (meaning Jesus), ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

We are to emulate our LORD Jesus as He has shown us in His word. 1 John 2:15 reads: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him".

Although we are saved by grace through faith, we must make every effort to put away filthiness out of our lives if we say we have trusted Him. As a matter of fact, when the Holy Ghost resides in your body, you will hate sin. We cannot serve Him and live willingly in sin as so many do today. I have spoken to many men who are living with ‘girl friends’ or so-called 'fiancee′s', so they put it, and they do not have a problem with that.  And this goes the same for the ladies out there.  The ‘world’ is okay with that, but the Bible is NOT okay with fornication.  " . . . Remember, ye are not of the world . . . " (John 15:19).  This is God's word, NOT mine.

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10: Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

So that means that most are willingly serving the lusts of the flesh and the lust of this world (1 John 2:16).  They are not truly serving Christ.  Jesus said that no man can serve two masters.  We are not to be conformed to this world.

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God". (Romans 12:2)  The word "conformed" is to be similar or identical.   Possibly, a better definition is to be in agreement or in harmony.

But there is good news if we are serving Him. Let’s read 1 Corinthians 6:11: "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God".  Praise GOD!

My friend, please read carefully and think about this.  If you feel like you may have doubt about your conversion, as in 2 Corinthians 13:5, and you truly made a good self-examination of your life, and you believe you are living a counterfeit Christianity, please commit your life to Jesus right now with a repentant heart – where you are.  As long as you have breath, He will save you.  Flee from sin. Jesus said "except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3).  Jesus wants you to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and thy strength. Then your focus and desire will be to serve Him truly.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9-10)

Trust Him and call upon the name of the LORD.

What are you waiting for? We may not have tomorrow.

Gary Waddell – Thanks for "Taking 5"  -  Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee

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