Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it all. Being a Christian in a world that hates Christ, in a body that just wants to follow its own rules, with an instinct that turns to rebellion first rather than obedience... it's hard.
And Jesus knew it was going to be hard. Many a time he warned his disciples that following him would mean hardship and suffering. And the Bible makes it clear that some were put off by this.
At one specific point, when Jesus again utters teachings that were hard to accept, many disciples actually turn back (John 6). Seeing this, Jesus asks the Twelve whether they too wanted to leave. But Simon Peter poignantly answers:
"Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life!" (John 6:68)And this is why I stick it through too: "Lord, to whom shall I go? You have the words of eternal life!"
Amen.
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3 comments:
I love that response :-) It's such a total realisation of "well, of course it's hard... but it's right, it's good, it's the only way...", even though it's tough, it would be madness to choose anything less than the Holy One of God who holds the words of eternal life!
"Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." (verses 67&68)
Ah, it's brilliant.
Yes! :) That's exactly what I meant :)
The amazing thing is that we need God's grace just to come to that point where we realise that those words really are the words of eternal life.
That's why it's (usually) unthinkable to give up just because things are tough. We have the seal of the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians is such an amazing book, and we're not even half-way through.
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