The True Test

Jesus was questioned frequently about the legitimacy of His teachings and authority to work miracles of healing. He never defended himself, for He knew He was acting on behalf of His Father in Heaven. A crowd of religious leaders and onlookers had gathered with questions and Jesus answered them, "What I teach comes from the One who sent me. Anyone who wants to do his will can test this teaching and know whether it's from God or whether I'm making it up. A person making things up tries to make himself look good. But someone trying to honor the one who sent him sticks to the facts and doesn't tamper with reality..." (John 7:16-19 The Message Bible).

When a country sends an Ambassador to another country, they expect that the one sent - the "Ambassador" will execute the decisions, will, and judgments of the home country, and that he will not be acting from his own opinions and personal will. Jesus too followed the protocol of one sent out to fulfill another's will, namely, the Heavenly Father. At no time did Jesus ever seek His own glory but always made sure to qualify in who's name He was acting.

Likewise, we as we have been sent, we must not seek to draw attention to ourselves to show off skills, talents, beatuty, possessions, or spiritual gifts even.
Even Jesus' brothers did not believe Him and taunted him with suggestions to show off his stuff: "If you're serious about what you're doing, come out in the open and show the world."

Jesus, however, never sought a ministry or even ministry opportunities. Rather, He only sought the face of His Father in Heaven - in the secret place - and could be found hidden away in the hills and mountains into the early hours of the morning. During these times the Holy Spirit spoke very specifically to Jesus about what He was to do next: "Go across the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) and there will be a demon-possessed man there." Not once did Jesus send His disciples ahead of him to the towns to prepare the way with advertising, setting up venues, or promoting his healing ministry in any way. He never showed off the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and often preferred to minister to people alone before the crowds gathered.

So, Jesus answered his brothers: "It isn't my time yet. I'm not ready." He understood who He was and that when God wanted to release Him, He would tell Him. The Holy Spirit did, in fact, direct Jesus to go up to the Feast of Tabernacles, but a couple of days later, after his family were already gone.

The true test of our teaching and ministry is when the Holy Spirit affirms us through the fruit produced by what we are doing for Him. Is it activity to make us "look good," or does it honor and glorify Jesus?

Jesus made sure to only go where the Spirit led Him; He only did what the Father did. As Ambassadors for the Messiah and King, this is our protocol as well. We are to do what Jesus did, for He patterned his life for us.

Where You Go I Go is a great song sung by Kim Walker at the Jesus Culture that offers our hearts in dedication to this purpose.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2U3PU-E32E