Just When You Think You Have Arrived

Just When You Think You’ve Arrived

By Pastor Jim May

John 13:36 – 14:6

Simon Peter had made an assumption, and it’s the same assumption that we all make from time to time. He assumed that he had reached a place in his relationship with Jesus where he would never forsake Jesus and would never fail in his faithfulness to the Master again. We must never assume that we can’t miss the mark, for the moment we do, we are headed for a fall.

It has been my experience that when I think I’ve arrived, I discover that the train is just getting ready to leave the station for another learning and growing experience in life. It’s not that we don’t want to be faithful. It’s not that we desire the things of this world more than the things of God. It’s not that we have lost sight of the Savior and that we don’t place Jesus at the highest place in our hearts. No, it’s just that sometimes we get caught up in life and the first thing you know, we are doing that which we know is not right.

Now some would probably jump on their soapbox immediately, in their self-righteous indignation, and begin to spread the word – I saw Brother Billy Bob, or I heard Sister Sallie Sue do something, say something or go somewhere that they shouldn’t have. Some folks just love to put themselves on a pedestal and then play “King of the Hill” trying to keep everyone else on a lower plane. I don’t know about you but there’s nothing that bothers me more than someone trying to claim to be all that when the Bible says that, “there is none good, no not one”. Some folks must believe that they are the exception. My message to all of us this morning is this; Like it or not, whether you want to believe it or not, you’re not perfect and you never will be in this life. So be careful what you say and do, because what goes around; comes around.

Look with me at the Book of John, Chapter 13 and verse 36 and I think you will see something there that will really bless you.

John 13:36, "Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards."

Do you know where Jesus was going? You and I have the great advantage of having a greater understanding and perspective of what was going on at this point in scripture. We know that Jesus was getting ready to fulfill his purpose for coming to this world. He was going to die upon the cross and shed his blood so that the sin of men could be washed away. He was going to be sacrificed for all of us.

But Peter didn’t have that same perspective. He didn’t fully understand what was going on in the Plan of God. Though he had followed Jesus for over three years and had learned so much, he just didn’t get it.

Now don’t put down on Peter because I know an awful lot of Christians who have attended church for years, heard hundreds of sermons, attended Bible Conferences and Camp Meetings, read their Bible from cover to cover, yet they still don’t get it. They still have problems trying to figure out God and trying to find the will of God in their lives.

Have we not learned that the will of God is not just found in the final destination, but in the journey itself. Are you in the will of God right now? How do you know whether you are or not? Here’s the real test if you want to know it: Are you living for the Lord? Are you doing everything you can to be faithful in your commitment to Christ? Are you ever listening for the leading of the Holy Spirit in your heart? Are you hungry for more of God and desiring to be with Jesus and with the people of God? My friend, if all of that is true, then you can’t help but be right where God wants you to be for this moment in time.

Tomorrow, the Spirit may lead you in a different path. Tomorrow He may place a different dream or a new ministry in your life – but for right now, you are walking in God’s will. If you want to ever be in God’s will, then maintain that faithfulness, that dedication and commitment, and put Jesus first in your life and you won’t miss God’s will. We often think that God has to hit us with a bolt of lightning or some great revelation or give us some great position before we will think we are in God’s perfect will. Have you ever considered that God’s perfect will for your life is that you learn to grow, learn to be faithful right where you are? There’s always room for growing and changing to be more like Jesus but that can happen in more ways that we can imagine.