Turning Back or Walking with Jesus?
Do you
also want to go away? —John 6:67
What a
penetrating question! Our Lord’s words often hit home for us when He speaks in
the simplest way. In spite of the fact that we know who Jesus is, He asks, “Do
you also want to go away?” We must continually maintain an adventurous attitude
toward Him, despite any potential personal risk.
“From that
time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more” (John 6:66).
They turned back from walking with Jesus; not into sin, but away from Him. Many
people today are pouring their lives out and working for Jesus Christ, but are
not really walking with Him. One thing God constantly requires of us is a oneness with Jesus Christ. After being set apart through
sanctification, we should discipline our lives spiritually to maintain this
intimate oneness. When God gives you a clear determination of His will for you,
all your striving to maintain that relationship by
some particular method is completely unnecessary. All that is required is to
live a natural life of absolute dependence on Jesus Christ. Never try to live
your life with God in any other way than His way. And His way means absolute
devotion to Him. Showing no concern for the uncertainties that lie ahead is the
secret of walking with Jesus.
Peter saw
in Jesus only someone who could minister salvation to him and to the world. But
our Lord wants us to be fellow laborers with Him.
In John 6:70 Jesus
lovingly reminded Peter that he was chosen to go with Him. And each of us must
answer this question for ourselves and no one else: “Do you also want to go
away?”
(Taken from Oswald Chambers – “My Utmost
for His Highest” March 9)