INS:John's School of Discipleship

   Have you enrolled in John's school of discipleship? He was
continually controlled by his enjoyment of Christ's love for him, not
his love for Christ. Discipleship is a matter of the HEART first, not
the head. It begins with the heart at conversion - Romans 10:9, 10. It
continues with the heart - Psalm 27:8; Proverbs 4:23. It worked with
John.

   1. IT WAS THE SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL NEARNESS TO CHRIST - John
13:23-26. He claimed to be one of the disciples whom Jesus loved, but
came nearer to Jesus' bosom than others. Peter was not near enough and
requested John to ask the Lord his question. The word "lying" in the
Greek Text implies that John drew closer to Christ. Do you ever feel
near enough to the Lord? Why do we not draw closer, for He loved us! -
John 13:1. We can learn the secrets of His heart!

   2. IT WAS THE SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL STRENGTH - John 19:25-27. John was
the only apostle that stood by the Cross in company with the women.
When ALL the world had rejected the Holy Sufferer, John stayed to the
end (John 19:35), sharing His reproach. Can you and I stand alone
against the whole world with our rejected Lord? Only His love can
enable us to do this! It did for Paul - Galatians 6:14.

   3. IT WAS THE SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL PROGRESS - John 20:2-4. Why did
John outrun Peter to the empty tomb? It was the deep consciousness of
the love of Christ that impelled him. It was the lack of it that caused
Peter to be slower, for he had denied his Lord! Yes, he knew the Lord
and boasted that he loved Him. "Knowledge puffeth up, but love
edifieth" - Paul wrote to the Carnal Corinthians (Ch. 8:1). To the
Galatian believers Paul wrote - "Ye did run well, what did hinder you?"
(Galatians 5:7). Their vaunted superior knowledge implanted by false
teachers affected their hearts. We make little or no spiritual progress
when we fail to be enjoying the love of Christ!

   4. IT WAS THE SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL PERCEPTION - John 21:7. In the
early morning mist it was only John who recognized the voice of the
Lord and distinguished His blessed Person out of the seven disciples in
the boat. "The disciple whom Jesus loved" had deeper perception and
clearer vision than the others! His revelation - "It is the Lord" gave
spiritual impetus to Peter at once as he "cast himself into the sea"
toward his master he loved. How much we need disciples today, like
John, who can reveal the Person of Christ to our hearts!

   5. IT WAS THE SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL OBEDIENCE - John 21:20-23. Peter,
though restored, turns about to see John, "the disciple whom Jesus
loved", following. Curious about John's future path, the Lord virtually
says - "None of your business - follow thou me". The disciple who
enjoyed in his heart the love of Jesus had no need of the admonition -
"Follow me". He followed without being commanded, so dear was the
Lord's love to him. Also, Jesus may have intimated that if John lived
until the Saviour returneth back to earth, John would still be
following Him! Is this true of us today?

   Why not enroll in John's school of discipleship? Registration fee is
a heart that enjoys the love of Christ! The textbook is your Bible
where you learn more of His love! Paul knew this, for "the love of
Christ" to him was INSEPERABLE (Romans 8:35) IMPELLING (2 Cor. 5:14)
and INFINITE (Eph. 3:19). This technological, sophisticated world can
rob us of that simplicity of heart that should be enjoying the love of
Christ.

   Then fill me, O my Saviour, with Thy love! Lead, lead me to the
living fount above; Thither may I, in simple faith draw nigh, And never
to another fountain fly BUT UNTO THEE!

   (Shekleton) Published by J.W. Bramhall Radio Fund Inc. 2309
Commonwealth Ave. Charlotte, NC 28205