Christian Living

A DUTY THAT IS NOT A DISCIPLE'S

by Olawale Ogunsola
02/16/18
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Leadership and followership entail duties and responsibilities. A leader’s responsibilities are entirely different from that of a follower. A leader does not need to take over the responsibility of his follower. A follower cannot perform the roles of a leader.

     A servant cannot be above his boss. A servant has certain restrictions as far as certain roles are concerned. Certain information is the exclusive rights of a boss or a leader.

     So it is with Disciples of Christ.

     In many cases and many times, disciples try as much as possible to delve into matters beyond them. That is those matters that do affect them. By so doing, they often leave behind, sometimes, gloss over their real responsibilities. This is not “end of time” or “perilous times” events, but it started since the day of Jesus Christ on earth.

     How?

     In John chapter number twenty-one, in verses twenty to twenty-two, we read, “Then Peter , turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus

     Loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the

     Super, and said, ‘Lord, who is the one who betrays you”

     Peter seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”

     Jesus said to him, if I will that he remain till I come, what

     Is that to you? You follow Me”

     Thanks to Lord Jesus Christ for this sharp rebuke. There is a strong lesson to learn from this. It is a strong warning to Peter and every serious disciple not to leave what matters most to pursue what does not concern them.

     In the case above, what matters most? “You Follow Me” This is a disciple’s main occupation or assignment. In actual fact, this is what qualifies him to be called a disciple. Without it, he cannot count as a disciple of Christ.

     Meddling in the affairs of others that is exclusively the right information or authority of his Maker is to act Ultra Vires. Therefore, follow Jesus Christ.

     In those days, Peter was not alone in matters of such kind. Read these words contained in the Acts of the Apostles 1:6-7.

     “Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him (Jesus Christ) saying, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? “And He said to them (the disciples)

     “it is not for you to know the time or seasons

      Which the father has put in His own authority.”

     Can you see Christ’s disciples seeking knowledge about what did not directly concern them? Then, what should matter most to them? This is contained in Act 1:8

     “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit

     Has  come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to me,

     In Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the

     End of the earth.”

      The above is a reminder of what should be the pre-occupation of every disciple. This is because He had told His disciples in Luke 24:49 thus,

     “... but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are

    endued with power from on high.”

     As it was, so it is. Today’s disciples also need to occupy themselves with following Jesus Christ with whole of their hearts, be endued with power from on high and preach the gospel near and far. May the Lord help every disciple to do only what is right in the sight of the Lord in Jesus Name.

Stay blessed and prepared for the coming of the Lord.

NOTE

All Scriptures quoted are from New King James Version of the Holy Bible.