ing John. He was just wondering. We fundamentalists often “look on the things of others,” but only to wonder and worry about them. Sometimes we become theologi cal detectives and religious bloodhounds; we sit with cupped ears, listening for heresy. Again, we want the Lord to stop those who are not casting out demons ac cording to our formula. We want John to be like Simon Peter. We inwardly resent it if our lot, like Peter’s, is to be a cross, and John is to escape martyrdom. “To his own master he standeth or falleth,” but we want to meas ure him by our yardstick. “What is that to thee?” Envy and jealousy or even friendly solicitude can make us very anxious about John. Our Lord never i n t r u d e d into secondary concerns. Whether with the woman taken in adultery, or when dealing with His critics about tribute money, when asked to divide the inheritance, or when it was suggested that fire be called down from Heaven upon the Samaritans, He never allowed Himself to be drawn aside on irrele vant issues. We are living in such a confusing hour that we have to guard against letting even the good interests obscure the best. We must choose the main thing as Mary did amidst all the clatter of cumbered and careful and trou bled Marthas. Trying to keep up with all the trends and drifts and currents of the times can drive a man insane. There is so much to discourage and disappoint and dis illusion us in even the best of men that we have to guard against cynicism. We shall see strange things happen to John, and even stranger things befall our selves. This brings us to consider that this question of Peter’s may often be turned to apply to ourselves instead of to John: "Lord, and what shall this man [myself] do?” Peter had just been informed of his own approach ing crucifixion, and he was wondering, “And will John escape?” God may let others do what He denies us. Some who are less spiritual may seem to succeed, get better results. Others may get credit for our own labors. John lived to a ripe old age, and was likely the only apostle to die a natural death. His course, though it led to Patmos, was fairly even. But Peter was impetuous, impulsive, always bungling; and now he is promised crucifixion! Whatever his motive, it was natural to wonder about John. Regardless of God’s plan for others, our duty is clear: “Follow thou, me.” If others are rich, recognized, suc cessful, and we are not, one thing we can do: we can follow on. In season and out, when we understand it, and when we do not, when we feel like it, and when we do not, we can follow Him. In the dark, if not in the light; in the shadow, if not in the sunshine; when the heavens are brass, and circumstances mock us, and friends fail us, and the body grows weary; and when others receive crowns while we get crosses, we can fol low Him. Mind you, we are to “follow.” We are to keep mov ing. It is not just a step of faith, but a walk of faith; we are to keep on stepping. And we are to follow HIM. He made Himself the issue with Peter. He always did. The issue was not Peter, or John, but Jesus. He is always the issue, not the Bible, for some search the Scriptures, and do not come to Him; not doctrine, for some may be orthodox, and not following in His steps; not the Church, for that is the body, and He is the head; not the Lord’s coming, but the Lord who is to come; not sanctification, but He who is our sanctification. We are to go unto Him without the camp. He that is not with Him is against Him, and he that gathereth not with Him scattereth abroad. By Him all things consist. "What is that to thee? follow thou me.” The issue is not THAT or THOU but ME. “Follow Me yourself.”
Palm Canyon, Palm Springs, California
And He Saith , “ Follow Me” ‘‘The cross awaits me” ? Yes, I know. ‘‘The night is dark” ? But He is near. “The path is rough” ? His arm upholds. “ I cannot see” ? But I can hear. And where He leads I follow on; He calls me, and I may not stay; His strength is mine through all the days; His light is sown along my way. I know not where that way shall lead; It matters not, so He shall guide, So only, when the tempests come, I feel His presence at my side. When skies are bright above my head. When smiling eyes with tears grow dim. Through smiles or tears His peace is mine; ’Tis joy enough to follow Him. O loved Redeemer, loving Lord! I hear Thy voice; it calleth me Through joy and grief, through toil and pain, To rest beyond the stormy sea; O ’er mount and valley, plain and stream. Unto the place where I would be, Unto the Heaven where Thou hast gone, I follow Thee— I follow Thee. —Annie Johnson Flint. (Used by permission of the Evangelical Publishers.)
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OCTOBER, 1946
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