What Does It Matter?
Posted by: biblenotes <biblenotes@...>
From: Martin Overfield
Date: Sun, 6 May 2001
What Does It Matter?
"He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? ...
And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I
love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst
thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old,
thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry
thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he
should glorify God. ... Follow me.
"Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following;
which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that
betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this
man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is
that to thee? follow thou me." (John 21:17-22)
"WHAT IS THAT TO THEE? FOLLOW THOU ME." I repeat and
emphasize these words of Christ to Peter, because I believe that it would do
every one of us good to apply them to our own souls. These words, simply
and powerfully stated, apply to our relationship with both Christ and with
others. As they touch on our relationship with Christ they stress the utter
necessity of being totally devoted to Christ; as they weigh upon our
relationship with others, they imply volumes of instruction in what should
NOT matter to us.
In keeping with the context of the whole New Testament, we should
not infer from Christ's statement that we have no responsibility for our
brothers and sisters in Christ. Quite on the contrary! We are taught of
Christ to love one another even as He has loved us. (John 13:34; 15:12)
We truly ought to "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them
that weep." (Romans 12:15). It ought to crush us if a brother in Christ
falls
away from Him. It ought to be the joy and rejoicing of our hearts to see
others prosper on the way toward Heaven.
However, there are many things having to do with the will of God in the
lives of others that just do NOT concern us. What I mean by this is that it
should have no bearing upon our own relationship with Christ one way or
the other. Some things just do not matter. As one of my Bible college
professors put it, "It's none of your business."
To clarify a little more, we should be careful not to compare ourselves
and the particulars of our lives to others, but rather we should see how we
measure up to God's Word and His will for us. "For we dare not make
ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend
themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing
themselves among themselves, are not wise." (2 Corinthians 10:12)
Now, let us apply this truth in some areas of our lives and service to
God.
SUFFERING
When Peter said, "And what shall this man do?", he was taking his eyes
off of the Master and getting them upon his fellow man. The particular
issue at hand was the subject of Peter's future martyrdom. Yes, Peter was
going to suffer for Christ.
When we suffer, while others may be totally delivered, that is God's
business and should not matter to us. It is so easy for those who get their
eyes on people to give in to the selfish attitude of "It's not fair!" Oh,
may
we ever commit such details into God's hands. He knows best. If we
take suffering patiently, we may receive far greater reward in Heaven than
we would otherwise receive.
PRIVILEGES
Preacher, when others are promoted to the "Big" churches or higher
positions of leadership and you are tempted to wonder whether God has
forgotten you, I ask what does it matter? Ultimately, God lifts up and puts
down.
God spoke to Job along this line as He showed him that God did not
need to consult with man concerning HIS sovereign purposes. Say, the
great "Promotion Day" is coming; and, God will dish out the true and eternal
promotions on that day! I believe some of the quietest and most hidden
saints of God will receive far greater promotions than many of those
presently seen in the public eye as "great in the kingdom".
GIFTS
"Why is it that God gives some so many spiritual gifts and natural
talent, but has not given much to me?" Many have probably at least thought
such things; but, again what does it matter? He knows those who need such
gifts and talents to accomplish His will for their lives. He knows for whom
such abilities may prove too great a temptation. He also provides all the
grace that is needed for those of us who are indeed less enabled in such
ways.
JUDGING
Again, I touch on this subject, because it seems that this is such a
great danger, while the enemy of our souls seeks to "scatter the power of
the holy". If Satan cannot deceive us into compromising, then He will come
as an angel of light to try to push us over the edge the other way. I mean
that he will try to get us to judging one another, getting into areas that
are not really our concern. It is not my business or yours to sit in
judgment upon the motives of others, when we have no concrete evidence
to support such judgment.
"What is that to thee? follow thou me." Let us leave the other fellow with
God. Let us give full attention to following Christ, walking straight,
ourselves. If we would spend all of our time making sure we are walking
close to Him, we would find little or no time to meddle in another's
matters.
"He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like
one that taketh a dog by the ears." (Proverbs 26:17)
Yours In Christ,
Martin Overfield
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