12/29/2025
Has God called you to believe and/or to serve Him in a way that requires you to sacrifice something you own, or of yourself? Are you at a place in your walk of faith that requires you to make a choice between believing and having faith in Him, and Jesus, or returning to where you once were in faithlessness? Well, every believer comes through such forks in the road, and it separates the true believers who go to the right, from the nonbelievers who turn back to the left. Sometimes it occurs at the first moment of our belief when we must decide who Jesus is, or maybe at other more sacrificial times when we must answer or not answer a challenging call from God.
“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 so 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 themselves to following Christ and recognizing Him as the Messiah, the Son of God, or to remain in the lives of faith they had believed since birth, it was too much 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? Well, you are not alone in reaching this place... every believer has been here, and every unbeliever has turned away from here. Listen to the words that Pastor Oswald Chambers who 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. Believing this was paramount to admitting that what they had been taught all their lives had now changed. There was no room in their prior belief system that had always consisted of just the Law and God Himself, for a Son and the fulfillment of that Law. It was acceptable, palatable, and easy, when they viewed Him as a prophet, but now, when the truth of His true identity was revealed to them? Well, many couldn’t handle it, and turned away.
When we first meet Jesus Christ it is easy to follow along and listen to His words. Many of the things He says sound good and can easily be folded into our earthly lives with very few ripples. When He tells us to love others as we love ourselves, or not to murder or steal, we can do these moral things, but when He asks us to believe that He is the Son of God and 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 standing at a crossroads or a fork in the road. When what Jesus asks of us challenges who we are and what we believe and worship in our lives, then we are at that defining moment of faith. This is the place where the disciples stood in John 6:66, and it is where Judas Iscariot stood as well... 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? Will we mistakenly just sit there in a state of indecision thinking we will be alright while our faith 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
Friends, you haven’t traveled to this place alone nor by accident, and God didn’t bring you here to tempt you, but rather, the world tempts you, and as the world desires to lead you off in one direction while our Father’s kingdom lies down the right fork in the road... it nis here that making a choice becomes obvious, that we much choose one direction, or the other. You have been chosen and led to this point, but now you must make 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 to the left like “many of his disciples”, or go on with Peter, Paul, and Stephen down the fork to the right? Will you accept the challenge of God’s calling or to walk away from it?
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for revealing the truth of your Son Jesus Christ to me, and I thank you for choosing to lead towards you at the various crossroads of my faith. At these spiritual junctures where I must decide between the world and your kingdom, and between my faith in you and my unbelief, I lean on you for my strength and understanding. In these places where the world tempts me and asks me to take the easy path, I look to you and call out the name “JESUS!”... it is here that I pause to hear His response “HERE I AM!” so that I can go to Him. Thus, He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world... this is the truth to which I hold firm.
“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”
1 John 4:4-6 ESV
Help all of us Father who come to these challenging places. Strengthen each of our souls when we must choose so that we will choose correctly. Lord, there are many who are praying this prayer with me today, and I ask that you hear each of them just as you hear me! Father, I ask that you hear the prayers of all those standing at the various spiritual forks they encounter in their road of faith and lead them down the righteous path. You have called them to this place Lord, now I beg that your small still voice will lead them yet further. Hear each of our humble prayers as our voices join together as one and proclaim you God, that Jesus is your Son, and that your Kingdom great. Lead us on Abba as we pick up our crosses and follow Jesus, declaring Him our Redeemer, and your Precious Lamb. Give us the knowledge and understanding we need through your holy Spirit so that we can answer your various callings in our lives… Holy Father, guide us the strength and obedience we need to proceed on towards you and to do your will.
“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.”
James 1:13 ESV
Amen, Amen, Amen!
Rich Forbes