FOLLOW THOU ME

We have often heard people sing lustily:

"Where He leads me I will follow, I'll go with Him all the way."

"I'll go with Him all the way" -- through the judgment hall, where He is misjudged, misunderstood, miscondemned; and through the garden Gethsemane, where great agony comes on Him till He sweats drops of blood, and to dark Calvary's brow, they promise to go, where the darkest tragedy of history is enacted- the Son of God suffering most excruciating, convulsive, terrible agony.

And we have heard that other hymn thoughtlessly sung, which makes so many promises of loyalty and vows to God of what they will do:

"I'll go where you want me to go; I'll say what you want me to say; I'll do what you want me to do; I'll be what you want me to be."

And, as we have observed, we haven't seen much "following where He leads." When He would lead through "Judgment Hall" rather than go as promised they seem unwilling to be judged peculiar for His sake because of an out and out stand for Him; and scarcer still is the number who follow Him in Gethsemane's inexpressible prayer agony; no, every man goes to His own home and sleeps soundly while Jesus goes out alone into the mountain to wrestle with the powers of darkness in high places; or up a great while before day and out into the desert place to renew the conflict. The great mass who name His name know so little of fellowship with His sufferings; they know practically nothing of watching with Him even one hour -- one sixty minutes! He must with sad tone of reproach say to them, "What, could ye not watch one hour with me?" Ye, who, Peter-like, have so loudly and publicly protested your love and loyalty, do you know so little of my mission as not to watch with me in prayer-conflict with spiritual wickedness in heavenly places one short hour?

And when it comes to following Him in bearing His cross to the place of crucifixion, how few are willing! Sentiment considers those who do erratic and peculiar. Pity thyself! Far be it from them to suffer! How few self-indulgent modern Christianines and Christianettes realize following Him in bearing the cross is a condition of discipleship. "If any one will come after me let him bear his cross daily." "If any man will follow me let him deny himself."

Then those who are saying what He wants them to say are sadly in the minority compared to the great majority. Their conversation would then be so different. "In heaven, seasoned with salt, administering grace to the hearers." spiritually helpful; but, no, it is of business, people, things, events, fashions, almost exclusively.

When going where He wants them to go comes in they seem contrary and go in the opposite direction. ("It is of little avail to sing, 'I'll go where He wants me to go,' and then turn and go in the other direction.") They go to card parties, dances, theaters, Sunday excursions, baseball, etc. If they really would follow Him He would lead them out seeking the lost at home and to the broad mission harvest field, or send others in their stead.

Then if they would do as He wants them to do, there would not be the wide divergence between their profession and practice. Their practice does not seem to be like Jesus would have it -- instance business, buying and selling, wages paid -- it would be done in His name, according to His Golden Rule standard and not according to world's rules, standards, habits, maxims and customs, and ways of doing business.

And finally if professors would be what He wants them to be, "there is an amazing catalogue of "be's," -- "Be kind, be tender, be gentle, be loving, be forgiving, be diligent, be discreet, be happy, be transformed, be patient, be of good behavior, be filled with the Spirit, be holy in all manner of living," which are little in evidence.

As one hears these professions, promises, and vows of loyalty sung to God, and observes the wide difference in life, he is led to serious reflection: Either they do not realize what they promise or they are singing deliberate falsehoods. The writer was led to serious reflection on the matter and it came to him he believes as a suggestion from God, to carefully study the life and teaching of Jesus to see what following Him really means. So he "searched with the object of saving his own soul and determination not to shun following Him all the way, though in some places the road might be rough and stony. He saw profound depths of meaning in the brief command, "Follow me," given His disciples at the outset of His public ministry. We want to put our personal testimony here to His glory, we found no shrinking as the conditions bore down on us firmer and stronger; and as we followed closely our hearts kept asking, "Master, where dwellest Thou?" and He replied, "Come! come on, and keep coming on, and you shall see, and continue to see, how precious to follow the beloved of the soul."

But what does "Follow Me" imply?

I.

Stop Following Someone Else!

Men naturally follow the Prince of Darkness. "Ye are of your father, the devil, and his lusts ye will do." We are all by nature children of wrath, and in our native unregenerate state have no claim whatever on the Fatherhood of God. This Satanic domination must be recognized, painfully realized, and repudiated, renounced .forever. As Gordon says: "Thy kingdom come, means thy 'King' also come and rule over me. It also means 'the other kingdom (of Satan) and king go.' Thy will be done implies the other will (Satan's) be undone." And "Follow Me" necessitates, stop following him! Not only Satan, but all his emissaries interwoven throughout society- his habits, manners, maxims, practices, customs, fashion, follies and pride. Not only "love not the world, but neither the things that are in and of the God of this world." The mere "friendship of the world is enmity to God." "Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Ye cannot follow God and Satan at same time. "Follow Me" means farewell to the world -- the old companions haunts, vices, and associations.

II.

Surrender of Legitimate as Well as the Sinful Essential.

Oftentimes following Him not only necessitates cessation from following the positively evil, but also much that is lawful and good. The disciples who first heard this command immediately left their ships, fishing, mending nets, following receipt of customs and other legitimate occupations to be in His best will. Still others can best follow Him by pursuing legitimate callings as unto Him. Whatever good or bad in the way of following Him must be renounced. Some will possibly find it easier to let the evil go than to relinquish the good. For example, the writer came to grief several times in the pastorate which was as commendable and praiseworthy for him as others. He would appreciate being at home with loved ones too if it were God's best will. This he tried and God permitted it; it was His will permissively, but not His best will. There was a sense of condemnation and restlessness. Scripture describes accurately his feelings: "He gave them their own desire, but sent leanness into their souls." We relinquished our own desire, forever gave up that which was desirable, pure, good and lawful, and launched far out by faith into God's best will and experienced a rest and fellowship most precious; besides utter freedom from anxiety about open doors and remuneration. God blesses now in his ministry as He did not formerly; becoming to him everything relinquished; "He maketh all his appointments;" (providential open doors) and thus takes the place of bishop and presiding elder, and supplies all his needs (Phil. 4:19) and thus becomes his board of stewards; besides unlocking the Bible to his mind and giving messages much easier than formerly.

We must die to lawful and good as well as sin when it hampers us from following Him closely. Paul recognized this principle: "Have we not power to lead about a wife as Peter?" No sin in this; lawful, ordained and approved of God, yet to be unencumbered and free to undividedly give his time to God's work was judged to be the best will of God for him."

"God has His best things -- For the few who dare to stand the test; He has His second choice -- For those who will not have His best."

We must die to anything, pursuit, or person, though as dear as a right eye or arm, even though not sinful, which hinders from following where He leads. "If any man will come after Me let him deny himself and follow Me." Not merely his bad self, but his good self! Bishop Taylor's sacrifice of seven years from his family, in the wilds of Africa, illustrates this principle. It is as right for the Evangelist to make and settle in a home with loved ones as the pastor or teacher, only to do so he would miss his calling, get out of God's best order, and the work he has greatest affinity for, adaptability to, and efficiency in. It is the testimony of those who have made this mistake that God would not bless their labors fully: only in line of cooperation with His revealed will for one's life work is greatest success given!

John Wesley recognized the necessity of this death to good and lawful things and had an understanding with his intended previous to marriage, that he would not travel one mile less, or preach one sermon less, when they were married. In other words, to follow Jesus he would forego everything, even delights and comfort of home and loved ones. His brother Charles was thought, by him, to have lost somewhat in effectiveness and usefulness, and even in personal joy, because he allowed love for home and domestic cares to keep him from going afield as formerly.

Still it may be said of many choice servants of God, "He has married a wife" and, therefore, cannot go out into the larger field of sacrifice and usefulness. Said a sister in our hearing, "If I spent half the time in communion with God I devote to my husband I would be farther along in the Divine life; God has shown me this hinders me in my quest of sanctification. God shall henceforth be first." She was soon "filled with joy and the Holy Ghost."

"Is there a thing (or person) beneath the sun, That strives with thee my love to share; Ah, tear it thence and reign alone, The Lord of every motion there."

There is still such a thing as choosing your own sphere, rather than have God's choice; of having your own desire, but with it a consciousness of not being at your best for God! "Dear God, you choose for me; I choose what you choose."

III.

We Are to Follow Him With Pure Motive.

For what He is, and not for what He gives us. Our affection is to be purely for Himself alone, independent of what He bestows. Those who followed Him for loaves and fishes, or for remuneration, merit His reproach: "Verily ye follow Me not for the miracles which ye saw, but because ye did eat of the loaves and fishes. Labor not for the meat which perishes, but for that which endures unto everlasting life." He has nothing to offer men but Himself. Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man hath nowhere to lay His head." He has no houses, lands, or dignities, to bestow on selfish followers. Yet those who leave all and follow Him for love's sweet sake have the assurance: "No man hath left ought for 'MY sake' and the Gospel's but he shall receive manifold more in the present time, houses, lands, friends, mothers, brothers, sisters, with persecutions, and in the world to come, life everlasting."

IV.

He Lets Men Know it is Not Easy to Follow Him.

One said, "I'll follow Thee whithersoever Thou goest," He replied discouragingly. Men's minds need be dispossessed of the sentiment following Jesus is a flowery bed of ease affair.

"We may spread our couch with roses,
And sleep through the summer days;
But the soul who in sloth reposes
Is not in the narrow way."

Moody was once accosted by an admirer, who said, "You seem to have such a good experience, I would give the world to have an experience like you have." "That is just what it cost me, my friend," was the pointed reply. The lofty attainments of those eminent for piety are looked upon as desirable in the abstract, but the number who count the cost and pay the price for such experiences are few. They would gladly follow Him and the world too; serve God, if only man may have some service too; love God and the world too; be some unworldly and some worldly; give up some certain things which they care little for if only they may reserve others which they care more for; save their souls if only they may at the same time gain the world; things which Jesus declares NO man can do! " Ye cannot! ye cannot! Ye cannot serve God and mammon;" no man can serve two masters; he will hate one and love the other, or, vice a versa; the friendship of the world is enmity to God; whosoever, therefore, will be the friend of the world, is the enemy of God. To follow Him Jesus taught men must either give up one or the other!

He Never Lowered the Standard to Secure or Keep Mere Joiners.

The rich young ruler, on learning the conditions, went away sorrowful. Did not pay the price. Jesus did not run after him and lower the standard: "Wait, I'll see if I can't make a special condition in your case. Though our church condemns secrecy, tobacco, pride, and worldliness, we may be able to let you in; you are well off financially and would be such a help." No, sir!

Never! He did not say, "I'm sorry the conditions offend you.

I'll confer with the board and see if we cannot make special conditions for a man of your wealth and social standing. Our founders were not wise in framing conditions of membership. They were not advanced thinkers or men of breadth of culture or progressive. "Never!

On another occasion a host of His disciples were of. fended at Him when He preached a close sermon on advancing in the Divine Life. "And from that time forth (i. e., revelation of a deeper lesson) many of His disciples turned back and walked no more with Him." They said, "This is a hard saying, who can bear it?... He preaches at us" -- (disciples, as though we needed teaching). When they left off following Him He did not run after them, beseeching them to return, and apologize for offending them! Nay, rather, taught them the blessedness of those who are not offended in Him when He reveals the truths hitherto kept from them because they were unable to bear them. Looking at the departing disciples, He simply turns to the twelve and says, "Will ye ALSO go away?" "You may if you will." If men do not approve His standards He does not change to suit them.

V.

Again, Following Him Was Taught to be Continuous.

The disciples left their nets and, "going on from thence," they continued with Him. "If ye continue in my word then are ye My disciples indeed." No doubt this has reference to continuance which leads to freedom indeed from sin, but there is a very decided sense in which these words apply to the most spiritual after heart purity. To the very end of probation we have the power to cast away our confidence, apostatize, draw back, and make shipwreck of the faith. "If any man draw back my soul shall have no pleasure in him." The power is with us to draw back or go on. We make the choice in either case: "If ye continue." "If thou continue, otherwise thou shalt be cut off." The revelation of His requirements to His followers is gradual; not all given at once.

We fear many who have enthusiastically started following Him, spreading palm-branches, and cloaks with loud hosannas of welcome, are like the man who invited his friend to enter his home and told him to be perfectly at home; from kitchen to garret he was free to roam. Taking his host at his word, the guest saunters into the kitchen; but soon observes by the look of unwelcome interruption on Bridget's face he was not wanted there. Going from thence to the drawing room, where the daughter was entertaining her lover, he readily saw by their expressions "two is company here, three is a crowd." Next, to the study he goes; here his host gave him a look which clearly indicated he was busy then and preferred not to be interrupted. So Jesus is invited: "Come in, Lord, make yourself at home. I give you the keys; go from cellar to garret and enter the secret closets." Then once He takes us at our word and commences exploration from cellar to garret He is pained to see the tell tale wincing as from secret chamber to skeleton closet He goes; or as He requires for His use some especially prized chamber of our hearts. O, God, for honesty to see ourselves as we are!

The unknown future is in His hands, and is only known a step at a time. Concerning it, He says, "Thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter." He has many things to say which at the outset we are not able to bear, howbeit "as we are able He speaks the word unto us." Here many prove as the hearers who joyously and emotionally received the word, yet by and by, after a little, when persecution or affliction arise because of the word, they are easily offended. As one said in our hearing, "If I had known this church would require that of me I would not have joined." Sad is the number who, on discovering the conditions of continuing, turn back "from that time and walk no more with Him."

The writer had this lesson of continuity vividly impressed on his mind in the reception of the experience of sanctification while riding a bicycle. The Lord whispered to him through this bit of symbolism the similarity of the two experiences- in either case he must keep "moving on" to retain the experiences, or fall off] He has since discovered what was received in the moments of regeneration and entire sanctification, at the altar, while giving the desire to continue with Him, do not do the continuing; he must choose and will His will in each duty imposed. The promise to do all His will in the unknown future as revealed, did not do it without a deliberate volitional act. Following Him necessitates continuance: "If" ye continue -- "then" ye are my disciples." Continue in His word; continue walking in Him as ye received Him; continue with Him in His sorrow; in His agony; in His burden for the world; in His deeper intimate communion with God; in His sacrifice; in His self denial; continue with Him in His uncompromising attitude toward and reproof of sin; in His love for the church general, wherever found, of whatever name; in His sacrifice for its purification; in His persecution for righteousness' sake; in antagonism from church and world because of unflinching testimony against their evil and hypocrisy! In short, follow wherever He leads.

VI.

Following Jesus Necessitates Acceptance of His Teaching.

He opened His mouth and taught them. Those who accept His doctrine only are true followers. They could not follow Him unless they partake of His life, so He early taught to hunger and thirst after the "filled full" and satisfied life and the blessing of "Heart Purity" as the grand preliminary condition and qualification to the reception of the many subsequent things He had to say to them, among which were things hard to be understood and which frequently turned back the surface hearers and left the real disciples still following on, undiscouraged, cheerfully, counting all but loss to be with Him. He taught them poverty would as likely be their lot as loaves and fishes; if they were following for houses, He had not even "where to lay His head;" When every man went to his own home Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. So poor was He, not even a "Life Insurance Policy" was left to cover His funeral expenses. A tomb must be donated. He only left His clothes behind; used up every energy and possession Jot God! Oh, how few, even of those who claim to "wholly follow" Him follow His example of self denial. We read their thoughts now. But don't you believe in laying up for your children and old age? Yes, relatively. But we especially believe in unstintingly laying up treasures for Eternity! Our observation confirms the fact many will be the surprises, when in that day the discovery is made we laid up for children and old age, but comparatively little for Eternity! It may seem harsh, but Mr. Finney said, "O how quick will such faithless stewards be in hell!" Instead of extending His kingdom, willed to dissolute dissipated, godless, and worldly children! There are a few noble exceptions to the general spirit of money loving prevalent. Wesley left nothing over he could control; and said if anyone found any money remaining in his possession beyond royalties which might accrue from the sale of his books, let him say John Wesley died a thief and a robber! No doubt his covetous, avaricious, stingy followers will say, Mr. W. was peculiar, eccentric, odd; but the "great day" will reveal! The writer knows a blessedly sanctified man who formerly was a drunkard and spent all in dissipation and sin; when converted and sanctified and led out of fifteen hundred dollars' debt, consecrated all to God but his expenses. Said he, "I gave the devil all and now I would be a common white man if I gave God, who saved, sanctified, and blesses with unspeakable blessings, less than I gave the devil." The reason why he is like a pleasant, smiling morning in May, or wears a broad, sun flower smile and sings, prays, praises, rejoices, and gets blessed night and day, is not far distant to see. He gets so much out of it because he puts so much into it! In sixty-five thousand miles travel we have not met his peer for spiritual joy. There's a reason.

His Teaching, Summed Up, Embraces:

"Blessed when poor in spirit" and mourning; leaping for joy when persecuted for righteousness' sake; influence preserving like salt; light shining before men glorifying the Father who is in heaven; righteousness deeper than Phariseeism; reconciliation with God, and man as far as possible (go to thy brother who hath ought against thee, unless he be insane or irresponsible); freedom from adultery in thought and act; parting from sin though as dear as the right eye, hand, foot, or arm; no divorce except for one cause, viz., adultery -- not for every little incomparability of temper; no sinful anger, getting back at offender, or eye for eye and tooth for tooth spirit; though there may be righteous, legitimate anger without retaliation; charity, love for God, enemies and neighbors; give; forgive; perfection of Love (Mat. 5:48) as a means to help keep other instructions given, and without which no one can follow Him. Those and only those who embrace, know, do, and live His commands can be said to follow Him! Ye know these things, "Happy are ye if ye do them!" "He that keepeth my commandments he it is that loveth me."

To follow Him is (in spirit, at least) to take our place alongside of the stoned prophets and Stephen; beheaded John Baptist; beaten Paul; martyred fathers, and the crucified Christ. It is to follow in footsteps of that illustrious company of "Inquisition ,Saints" who were burned, crucified, beaten, and devoured by wild beasts for a spectacle of men and angels of whom the world was not worthy. It means the rack and arena and stake illuminating the royal gardens to satisfy the morbid mind of a tyrannical and cruel emperor; catacomb worship in obscure places and halls. It means to follow the glorious company of reformers: Savanarola, Huss, Luther, Ridley, Latimer, Wesley, Finney: It means persecution, heaviness, tears, sorrow, sweat, toil, night vigils, fasting, lonely mountain nights, prayer agony, blood sweat, desert place wilderness, Satanic conflict; keen hatred of the world and unspiritual church, and fickle friends; opposition of loved ones; variance of own household. It means plots against life; carried to the brow of the hill; enemies lying in wait; conspirators tempting; spies seeking to catch Him in His speech; misunderstanding, misjudgment, maligning, misquotation, misrepresentation, false accusation, false witnesses rising up against you, bearing false, cruel testimony. Loneliness, weariness, slander, reproach denial of every good in you (He hath a devil and is mad). Patmos' lonely isle; narrow basket escape; inner dungeon; fiery furnace; lions' den; the judgment hall; buffeting, spitting; stricken by rods, palms of hands, burly fists; crown of thorns; nail-pierced hands and feet; cruel cries of, "Stone Him!... Cast Him down!... Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" Impaled on the cross, lifted up, put down with sickening thud; lacerated nerves, throbbing pulse, bleeding brow; jeering, taunting, rabble; bloodthirsty Jews and rude soldiers; gall to drink; pierced side, broken heart, Death! Dear reader, as He speaks, "Follow thou me," in lieu of all this, does your heart still say, "Master, I will follow Thee whithersoever Thou goest?... Lead Thou me on; I have counted the cost, paid the price, and am going through." Blessed is the man who so says.

He shall have manifold more in this present time (especially the joy of the Lord as his strength and pay) and in the world to come, Eternal Life- "Always to be with God in the 'City of God' with streets of gold, jasper walls, gates of pearl, God and the Lamb its light, angel harps, golden crowns, choir no man can number with melodious voices like the sound of many waters, singing the song of Moses and the Lamb; with the society of angels and the spirits of just men made perfect. These rewards are for those who follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth for what He is, not for rewards, loaves and fishes, or human applause.

VII.

Finally, Following Him is Personal, Individual. Whether anyone else does or not. "Follow thou me.' "What shall this man do?" That, in plain English, is no affair of yours; look out for A. No.

1. Follow thou me! What is that to thee? If others and the world imperil their souls, "Follow thou me." But, Lord, my wife is pesky and environment is not good. Still, "Follow thou me." What shall this man do? How much modern Christianity is governed by "Public Sentiment." What it does, they do. What it condemns (though God commends) they refrain from. Its question is, have any of our rulers or leading men believed on Him and embraced His teaching? What is that to thee? "Follow thou me." "Look off unto Jesus."