12/29/2023
Has God called you to serve Him in a way that requires you to sacrifice something you own, or of yourself? Are you at a place in your faith that requires you to make a choice between believing and having faith in Him, or returning to where you once were in faithlessness? Well every believer comes to this fork in the road, and it separates the believers who go to the right, from the nonbelievers who turn back to the left.
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.”
John 6:51, 66 ESV
The disciples followed Jesus and thrilled in His teaching as long as it didn’t require them to choose between their old practices of faith (the law) and Him (the fulfillment of law). When the point came at which they had to commit to following Christ and recognizing Him as the Messiah, the Son of God, or to remain in those lives of faith they had believed since birth, it was too challenging for many of them. Are you at such a place in your life? Is God calling you to make a choice between His Son, and the world, or a religion other than Christianity and Him? Well you are not alone in reaching this place... every believer has been at this fork and turned to the right, while every unbeliever has turned back to the left. Listen to the words that Oswald Chambers wrote about this fork in the road of faith...
“You can never be the same after the unveiling of the truth. That moment marks you for going on as a more true disciple of Jesus Christ or for going back as a deserter.” - Oswald Chambers
Jesus had just revealed Himself as the Son of God, but many of His followers were unable to see Him as such. To believe this was paramount to admitting that what they had been taught all their lives had now changed. There was no room in their belief system that had always consisted of just God Himself, for a Son. It was acceptable, palatable, and easy, when they viewed Him as a prophet, but now, when the truth was revealed to them? Well, many couldn’t handle it, and turned away.
When we meet Jesus Christ it is easy to follow along and listen to His words. Many of the things He says are universally good and can easily be folded into our lives with very few wrinkles. When He tells us to love others as we love ourselves, or not to murder or steal, we can do these things, but when we hear him say such things as...
“When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."”
Luke 18:22 ESV
It is at this point where we find ourselves facing a fork in the road. When what Jesus asks of us challenges who we are and what we worship in our lives, then we are at the defining moment of faith. This is the place where the disciples stood in John 6:66, and it is where Judas Iscariot stood... it is also where Peter, Paul, and Stephen stood. So what will our choice be? Will we choose the way to the right, or to the left... or perhaps we will we mistakenly just sit there in indecision thinking we will be alright while our faith withers and dies within us?
“So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”
Revelation 3:16-17 ESV
You haven’t traveled to this place alone or by accident, and God didn’t bring you here to tempt you, but rather, the world tempts, and as the world calls us in one direction and our Father’s kingdom in another... so it becomes obvious that we must choose one direction, or the other. You have been chosen and led to this point, but now comes the greatest decision of your life...
“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
Mark 16:16 ESV
What will your choice be? Will you turn away with “many of his other disciples”, or go on with Peter, Paul, and Stephen?
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for revealing the truth of your Son Jesus Christ to me, and I thank you for choosing to lead me to the various crossroads of my faith. At these junctures where I must decide between the world and your kingdom, or between believing in you and disbelief, I lean on you for my strength and understanding. In these places where the world tempts me to take the easy path, I look to you, and call out the name “JESUS!”... then pause to hear His response “HERE I AM!” so that I can go to Him. Show me Father, as I stand in this place, that He is greater than he who is in the world. Open my eyes to the truth of Christ which I must follow.
Help all those Father who come to places such as this. Strengthen each soul that chooses so that they will choose rightly. There are many who pray this prayer with me today, and I ask that you hear them Father! I ask that you hear the prayers of those standing at the various forks in the road of faith, and lead them in the righteous way they must go. You have called them here Lord, now I beg that you call them yet further towards eternity in you. Hear our humble prayers as each of our voices proclaims you God, and your Kingdom great. Lead us on in Jesus as we declare him our Redeemer, and your Holy Son, and in Him never let us stumble, fall, or turn to the left.
Rich Forbes