Where I Am, There Shall Also My Servant Be
If one says, “I am a servant of Jesus Christ,” then it might be prudent for one to ask, “Am I with Him?” That may sound strange, since Jesus said He would always be with us, but what else did He say?
John 12:26 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.
It is important to consider what it actually means to serve Him. Some have the strange idea they can tell Jesus how they will serve Him, even if it differs from what He has in mind. This reveals a lack of humility, and understanding of who actually is Lord. When a person tells Jesus what they’re going to do without asking Him first, it reveals Jesus is not truly his Lord.
Luke 6:46-49 And why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to Me, and heareth My sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
Of course, another reason someone might try calling the shots is he is afraid of what Jesus might ask of him. He doesn’t truly trust Him. “I can’t do that Jesus, but I’ll tell You what I can do.”
The one who lives in the flesh, instead of the Spirit, will do what is pleasing to the flesh. He will not do what is uncomfortable for it. Moreover, as long as he is submitted to the flesh, he will be incapable of pleasing God.
Romans 8:7-8 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God (read verses 1-19).
The reason some struggle in their ministry is they are not where Jesus desires them to be. This does not necessarily mean they’re being rebellious, unless they are. It simply indicates they need to recalibrate by asking Him for direction. Some things the Lord has us do have a shelf-life. They are not meant to go on for perpetuity. That means it would be possible to do something too long, which actually may be a sign of obedience. That is to say, a person keeps doing what he’s been doing in order to remain obedient. Like a dog with a bone, it’s hard to let go of it, until he or she realizes it is time to stop.
To be clear, the trying of your faith is another reason you might experience difficulty as well. It’s a matter of asking God for wisdom in order can gain needed clarity. Be open to change. At the same time, don’t try to make changes apart from Him. The Lord is faithful, and will reveal what direction you need.
Being Where He Is: Abiding In The Vine
What does, being where He is, look like? One or two words may sum it up: abiding, or communion.
John 15:5 I am the Vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.
This is Christianity 101. Apart from Jesus, we are incapable of doing anything spiritual. For example, part of ministry is prayer. Effective prayer requires communion, otherwise we may pray amiss. Incidentally, if you pray according to the flesh, you will certainly pray amiss (see James 4:1-5).
John 15:7 If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us: And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.
When it comes to ministry, our Priority is God. Before we can affectively serve Jesus, or even minister to others, we need to minister to Him. First Love first! Walking in love enables us to all things, which includes maintaining joy and eliminating fear. The joy of the Lord is our strength, which enables us to keep going. Perfect love casts out fear, and do remember, He loved you first (see 1 John 4:18-19)!
