How Far Are you Willing to Follow?

During his ministry here on earth, Christ proved that, had he had the desire, he could have achieved success according to mans standards. As a performer of miraculous works, he was acclaimed to be greater than any had ever been, and the crowds flocked to see him. As a teacher and lecturer the testimony was, "No man ever spake like this man before!" As a physician and healer his fortune could have been made. In the sixth chapter of John, we see that he had the necessary qualifications to have achieved political success. After he had fed the multitude, they were so satisfied with him that they would have drafted him to be their king had he not left them. John 6:15 "When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone."

In fact, on the strength of his ability to satisfy their fleshly desire, they were even willing to accept him as the Messiah or at least a prophet of God! John 6:14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. They were so enthused with his accomplishments that they searched him out, and took ships to the other side of the sea of Galilee, that they might partake of more of his bounty. Jesus knew their hearts and so told them John 6:26 Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles but because ye did eat of the loaves and were filled.

It was when he began to teach them of spiritual things that they began to question him. As he instructed them to seek everlasting meat or food, their human nature again came to the front, and they asked, John 6:28 What shall we DO that we might work the works of God? They were then, as so many still are today, anxious to take any handout they could get of material things, but when it comes to receiving spiritual things, "What can we do?!" The answer of Christ is the one that really marks the turning point for many of them as it still does for so many today, John 6:29 This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent!"

Suddenly, the things he has done do not seem so great any more, and they ask, John 6:30,31 What sign shewest thou then, that we may see and believe thee? What dost thou work? Our Fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat." According to the answer of Christ, they were saying "Moses had done something greater than the feeding of the multitude on the previous day!" Strange, isn't it? It was a wonderful enough accomplishment to justify their making him a king, but not wonderful enough to believe on him! After Jesus had taught them a little more on eternal, spiritual things, John 6:66, 67 From that time many of his disciples went back and walked no more with Him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will you also go away?"

I would like to present this question now to you; How far will you follow Christ? Now don't try to answer it hastily. Remember, Peter made a rash statement that he would follow Christ even unto death, not realizing the bitter testing that was soon to be his. Before you answer the question, count the possible cost as well as the sure blessings. Are you willing to count your service to him more preciousthan friends, wealth, pleasure; worth more than ANYTHING?

Will you faithfully acclaim him as your Lord even when it becomes the inthing to scoff? It is ever so easy to stand in the midst of a congregation and sing, `Oh How I love Jesus!' but it is a different matter when men are making fun of religion, belittling Christ, or having a pseudo-intellectual discussion on the philosophy and psychology of religion, to stand up and say Christ saved my soul and strengthens me day by day!

How far will you follow Christ in your spiritual life? If you would know him as saviour, you must go beyond the intellectual belief in an historical figure, and even beyond the acceptance of certain facts about him. You must follow him to the cross of Calvary and see him there as he bears YOUR sins in his own body on the tree. You must go farther than many of these in our lesson were willing to go. You must be willing, not only to accept his mighty deeds, but you must be willing to accept his person. You must actually receive HIM into your heart!

Are you saved already? Then how far are YOU willing to follow him? Manyhave turned back in our day as the teaching gets a little too strong, but the words of Peter still ring true today as he answered for the twelve, John 6:68"Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life!" Those who really love the Lord, know that though others might promise ease or material gain, the real lasting riches come from following him and laying up treasures in heaven!

How far will you follow Christ in your personal life? Here is perhaps one of the greatest tests of discipleship today. It is not so hard to learn the right answers by rote and commit them to memory, but when it comes to being doers of the word, that is a different matter! In a day when lawlessness abounds to the extent of the riots and demonstrations we have seen, while the police must look on helplessly, it might seem insignificant to be concerned with personal integrity, but those who would pattern their lives after Christ must learn to be honest above question.

In the matter of morals, what does it matter that immorality is the accepted thing? Certainly, the responsibility of those who follow Christ, is to adhere to the principles of the Word of God whether or not it is the way of the world around us. As men become more and more wicked, and evil becomes more and more socially acceptable, the difference between those who conform to the world and those who are transformed by the renewing of their minds should become greater with passing time.

This same principle holds true even in the matter of dress and personal appearance. The child of God must decide, how far will I follow Christ? It was a sad thing to see many `Christians' in the forefront a few years ago, toward shorter and shorter dresses. “We don't want to look old fashioned” they said, “and besides, you just can't buy any other kind!” That they weren't being honest about it, is shown by the fact that now there are dresses of all lengths available. All are stylishly acceptable but the longer ones just aren't being worn by many!

I can hear it now! "Preacher, there are so many IMPORTANT things to worry about, why do you want to meddle in the little personal things of life?" Let us let Christ himself answer. Luke 16:10"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much. He that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much!"

How far will you follow Christ?

It might be for loaves and fishes
that some would call you `Lord'
but they soon turn to other things
when burdened by your word.

Others may follow as long as the crowd
makes it the popular thing to do,
but soon the multitude turns away,
and then they turn aside too.

Some might seek for wealth and position
and so, speak your name in prayer,
but then if wealth and fame DO come
they're soon swallowed up with care.

So, help me, Lord, to follow
and in you to abide;
Not for loaves and fishes,
and even when others turn aside!

But simply because I love you
with the love you showed to me,
when you refused to turn aside
from the cross of Calvary!

(F.C.Creel)