BIBLE LESSON

"Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor."

— John 12:26

Jesus made wonderful promises to believers in Him. He also commanded believers who wanted to serve Him to follow Him. Some people try to serve Jesus their way instead of Jesus' way. Many deeds are done by people who say they are serving Jesus, when it seems apparent to others that they are not following or obeying Jesus.

What might this mean? Some may do deeds they think will please God and others while disbelieving what Jesus taught about himself, His Father, the Son of God, the Scriptures, and how He expects His followers to live each day in relation to God and others. For example, some may do charitable works but not love Jesus and others.

In John 14:15, Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Jesus never said, “If you believe in me, you can disobey the commandments you do not like.”

Rather, Jesus gave even more challenging commandments to those who believe in Him. In John 13:34, Jesus said, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”

Some do works in Jesus' Name who refuse to follow Jesus by obeying His commandments to love others as He loves others. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit indwells and helps Jesus' followers love God and others as He intends; then, they trust that they will always be where Jesus is. When we serve and follow Jesus, no matter how dishonorable our sinful past, our Heavenly Father will honor us, if not in this life, in the life to come.