The historical account of Judges makes clear that people need a leader sent and ordained by God. When a ruler / judge was sent by God to deliver His people out of the bondage of sinful practices, the people would live for God as long as the ruler / judge lived. However, when that ruler died, they would revert back to ungodly living and follow false gods, placing themselves once again in bondage. Because we, today, can see the pattern of people in the book of Judges, we can see the need for Jesus who is the eternal perfect ruler. People will always be influenced by the leader they serve. The question we must ask ourselves is “Who do I follow?” The Bible makes clear that no one can serve two masters. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Matthew 6:24 EVS What dominates your life/thoughts can become the master/god of your life. Remember the first of the ten commandments. You shall have no others gods before me. Exodus 20:3 ESV Jesus was asked by a Pharisees, “Teacher which is the greatest commandment in the law?” to which Jesus replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37 ESV If you are loving God as the desire of your heart, soul, and mind, you will have no other gods before him, and Jesus will be the ruler of your life. So how do we make Jesus the judge / ruler in our life so that we will follow?
 
First, We Know That Jesus Is Eternal:
     Unlike the judges / rulers in the book of Judges that died, Jesus will never die, so we can follow with confidence. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. Romans 6:9 ESV Most of the disciples fled in fear the night of his crucifixion, but after His resurrection they followed him to their death. They could die in their devotion to Jesus, for they knew that they served a risen Savior.
 
Second We Follow His Teachings:
     Every Christian will follow the teaching of Jesus. He walked with his disciples and taught them how they should live in this world. We, as Christians, have something the disciples did not have before His death, burial, and resurrection, and that is the indwelling Holy Spirit. This makes every Christian the temple of the Holy Spirit. Jesus, speaking to His disciples, told them of the coming Holy Spirit that would come and live in them. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, who the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all I have said to you. John 14:26 ESV ….. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? 1 Corinthians 6:19 ESV
 
Live, Walk, And Work In Grace:
     Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2 ESV ….. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared  beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2: 8-10 ESV In other words, live on purpose for God, giving him the glory for all the He has done for you and in you.
     In Judges the people fell away when the leaders died, but we serve a living ruler and a judge who is eternal. Let me leave you with the words and challenge of 2 Timothy 4:1-2 ESV… I charge you in the presence of God and Jesus Christ, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. Live as Jesus taught…Love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul and all your mind. Matthew 22:37
 
Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David