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152. Those Who Found the Price Too High


John 6:60-71
Key Verse: "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life."
John 6:63

When we covered the early part of this passage, (John 6:29-59), we discussed how Jesus made following Him an exclusive calling. God chooses us and we choose Him. As a result, God has certain expectations on us as followers, and partakers of His son. All of this has to do with the "Cost of Discipleship."

We don't cover this topic as much as, perhaps, we should as Christians. Too many of us believe that all that is required of us is to pray the sinners' prayer and then it's a done deal. However, have you ever thought about the fact that the "sinner's prayer," or the prayer that leads to salvation is not in Scripture? It is a series of phrases that have been strung together by people, to cover the bases so that you can surrender to Jesus and begin your walk with Him. The true, main requirement of a person to become a Christian is to believe in the gospel of Jesus, (Acts 16:31), (Romans 10:13) obey, (John 14:15-21) be transformed, (Rom. 12:1-2) and love, (John 13:34-35) None of that can happen in a one minute prayer. It takes a lifetime to develop and grow into with God's help. Think of your first prayer as a seed. Any farmer will tell you that planting is just the beginning. The exciting part is experiencing the growth and anticipating the fruit to come.

We do our fellow man a great disservice to sell God’s grace cheap, letting them know nothing of what God expects in return. Today, we see how many responded to Jesus’ words. Many walked away. They liked the food, they liked the healings, they liked the way that He would address the religious leaders, but when He talked about the cost of true discipleship, denying yourself and becoming a part of Him, many lost interest and fell away.

"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the twelve. (John 6:67)

God bless Peter who, once again, spoke the truth that any true follower of Christ must utter once the truth has been revealed to them. "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." (John 6:68) Once you know that real thing, how can you be content with an imitation? Once you've known real "life," how can you go back to pretend? How can the physical rules of religion, designed to make you appear pious, compare to truly being in God's presence and being transformed on the inside by Him? When you live the truth, then you understand Jesus’ words, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." (John 6:63) There can be no going back.

"Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterwards You will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."  Psalm 73:23-26

Hymn: "Wonderful Words of Life"



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