Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Identity – Whoever Serves Me Must Follow Me – John 12:25-26 – Growing As Disciples
The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. John 12:25-26
I’m Calling You Now
What does it mean to lose my life in this world? Am I living for the pleasures of this life? Does all of life revolve around me and what I want? Am I guided by comfort? When have I set aside my will, plans, and desires to serve you, Lord? Those are good questions. Do you have any answers? Right now, I want to sit here and live with these questions. I think it would be a mistake to quickly answer and dismiss them all in my favor. I agree. Then, I feel like I’m on the right track. You are. I also sense a danger here as well. What’s that? I could sacrifice my life in complete service to others and yet not know you. What do you mean? Isn’t it possible to give up my life in service to the wrong purpose, plan, or person? Yes, it is. Tell me more of what you’re thinking. Your call is to give up my life to follow you. It isn’t a call to give up my life to become a serving maniac. As I give up my life to you, the only way I can serve correctly is to live in a close relationship with you. It’s not as if you’ll give me a huge “to do” list and check back with me at the end of my life, I know that. How do you know that? You said, “follow me” and where you are, that’s where I’ll be. Yes, that’s true. How will that be possible and how will that happen? That will only happen as I follow you. I need to wait, watch, and listen for your guidance. Otherwise I will likely go off course and not do what you want me to do and waste a lot of time doing what’s unnecessary. That’s exactly right.
I’m calling you right now. Come follow me. Don’t love the world. Love me. I will guide your life. You will have real joy as you join me in the work I will give you to do. Is this what you want to do? Is this who you want to be? Do you want to be my follower? Do you want to serve me? Yes Lord, I do. Good, then come. I am calling you right now.
Lord, today is the day that I will stop living for myself. The things of this world no longer have me in their grip. My eyes are on you. My ears are attentive to you. I’ve heard your call. I will follow where you lead and do what you ask. Amen
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