| | John's School of Discipleship
Have you enrolled in John's school of discipleship? He was continually
controlled by his enjoyment of Christ's love for him, not his love for
Christ. Discipleship is a matter of the HEART first, not the head. It
begins with the heart at conversion - Romans 10:9,10. It continues with the
heart - Psalm 27:8; Proverbs 4:23. It worked with John.
1. IT WAS THE SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL NEARNESS TO CHRIST - John 13:23-26.
He claimed to be one of the disciples whom Jesus loved, but came nearer
to Jesus' bosom than others. Peter was not near enough and requested
John to ask the Lord his question. The word "lying" in the Greek Text
implies that John drew closer to Christ. Do you ever feel near enough
to the Lord? Why do we not draw closer, for He loved us! - John 13:1.
We can learn the secrets of His heart!
2. IT WAS THE SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL STRENGTH - John 19:25-27.
John was the only apostle that stood by the Cross in company with the
women. When ALL the world had rejected the Holy Sufferer, John stayed
to the end (John 19:35), sharing His reproach. Can you and I stand
alone against the whole world with our rejected Lord? Only His love can
enable us to do this! It did for Paul - Galatians 6:14.
3. IT WAS THE SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL PROGRESS - John 20:2-4.
Why did John outrun Peter to the empty tomb? It was the deep
consciousness of the love of Christ that impelled him. It was the lack
of it that caused Peter to be slower, for he had denied his Lord! Yes,
he knew the Lord and boasted that he loved Him. "Knowledge puffeth up,
but love edifieth" - Paul wrote to the Carnal Corinthians (Ch. 8:1). To
the Galatian believers Paul wrote - "Ye did run well, what did hinder
you?" (Galatians 5:7). Their vaunted superior knowledge implanted by
false teachers affected their hearts. We make little or no spiritual
progress when we fail to be enjoying the love of Christ!
4. IT WAS THE SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL PERCEPTION - John 21:7.
In the early morning mist it was only John who recognized the voice of
the Lord and distinguished His blessed Person out of the seven disciples
in the boat. "The disciple whom Jesus loved" had deeper perception and
clearer vision than the others! His revelation - "It is the Lord" gave
spiritual impetus to Peter at once as he "cast himself into the sea"
toward his master he loved. How much we need disciples today, like
John, who can reveal the Person of Christ to our hearts!
5. IT WAS THE SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL OBEDIENCE - John 21:20-23.
Peter, though restored, turns about to see John, "the disciple whom
Jesus loved", following. Curious about John's future path, the Lord
virtually says - "None of your business - follow thou me". The disciple
who enjoyed in his heart the love of Jesus had no need of the admonition
- "Follow me". He followed without being commanded, so dear was the
Lord's love to him. Also, Jesus may have intimated that if John lived
until the Saviour returneth back to earth, John would still be following
Him! Is this true of us today?
Why not enroll in John's school of discipleship? Registration fee is a
heart that enjoys the love of Christ! The textbook is your Bible where you
learn more of His love! Paul knew this, for "the love of Christ" to him was
INSEPERABLE (Romans 8:35) IMPELLING (2 Cor. 5:14) and INFINITE (Eph. 3:19).
This technological, sophisticated world can rob us of that simplicity of
heart that should be enjoying the love of Christ.
Then fill me, O my Saviour, with Thy love!
Lead, lead me to the living fount above;
Thither may I, in simple faith draw nigh,
And never to another fountain fly BUT UNTO THEE!
(Shekleton)
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J.W. Bramhall Radio Fund Inc.
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