(Jesus said) "If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him." John 12:26
I really do appreciate it when one of our Daily Devotion readers shares a personal story with me. One of you moms is the originator of this one.
According to you, it all began when your five-year-old daughter, Samantha, was having one of those bad days which almost all children have from time to time.
Kind and gentle words hadn't managed to bring about the desired correction in her attitude or her actions. Finally, you made a threat of drastic discipline and put the ball back in your daughter's court. You told her that "If you don't learn to obey me now, you're going to have to live with the consequences."
You hoped for a reaction, but the reaction you got was far greater than expected.
You told me how your little girl's eyes misted up, her face turned a little bit pale, and her lower lip quivered as she said, "Oh, Mommy! Please don't make me go and live with the Consequences. I want to stay here with you."
The little girl learned a lesson all of us must learn. If we're going to be one of Jesus' people, we have to follow Him. We can't disregard Him, do anything and everything we want, commit any sin that comes our way and, still -- in good conscience -- lay claim to being a Christian.
Of course, that's something you already knew, isn't it? As a soul whose sins have been washed away by the Savior's blood, shed upon Calvary's cross, you know we can't serve two masters. Either we commit ourselves to the Christ or we must ...
... well, there is only one part to that sentence. In gratitude and thanksgiving, we should commit ourselves to Jesus who committed Himself to the redemption of our souls.
It's the right thing to do, and it's far better than living with the consequences.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, forgive me for trying to serve You and everything else. Having seen Your love in all You did during Your life with us, let my life be a thankful response. This I ask in Your Name. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Today's Bible Readings: Micah 4-5 Acts 21:18-40
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