Knowing Where to Go

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/FFZbB)

“Then Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  And, we believe and are sure that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’.”

John 6:68

When you know the true Source, you’ll also draw on the true Supply.

“Lord, to whom shall we go?”

What a simple question from Peter’s lips that day; yet, what a profound question and sublime response:  “You have the words of eternal life.”  Glory!!

In this day-and-age of “bigger and better”. . .faster and simpler. . .how important it is that we always remember Peter’s beautiful confession of faith.  This is especially so in a time of pluralism, syncretism, toleration, etc., where many say “It’s doesn’t really matter what you believe.  My belief’s just as valid as yours.  And, besides, we’re all striving for the same place; we’re simply taking different routes.”

But, oh, dear Pilgrim, if such is true, then why did Jesus have to die?  And, why did He say “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life—and no one comes unto the Father but by Me” (Jn. 14:6)?

Contrary to popular belief, there’s still only one Way.  And, there’s still only One Person Who has “the words of eternal life.”

And, His Name is Jesus, “the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

You see, the Gospel or Good News all hinges upon Who Jesus is and what He came to do here on earth.  Unless we see the entire Bible as one Love Letter from God. . .where the Old Testament shows the introduction and development of the Law. . .and prophets of old forecasting the time when the “Promised, Anointed One from God” would appear and what He would be like. . .and where the New Testament is a testimony of His Life and Teachings and how the early Church sprang forth in power because of Him. . .we will not understand why Peter said what he did.

Truly, Jesus—Who was the “Living Word made flesh” during His time here on earth (Jn. 1:1-14)—is still the sole Giver of eternal life.  And, it is the study of His words that enables us to know Him and His Will for our lives.

To seek eternal life anywhere else is always touching death; only by Christ’s “abiding in us and us in Him” (Jn. 15:1-7) do we have life evermore because HE is that Life.  And, it is His Presence in us that “quickens us from the dead” (Eph. 2:1-10) and raises us to newness of life.  Hallelujah!!

If all we had of the Bible were the words in red in the New Testament, those would be sufficient for salvation.  That’s why Jesus said the wise man is the one who “hears His sayings and does them” (Mt. 7:24).  The “doing” of them is not a prerequisite for salvation; it is simply evidence of it.  May the Holy Spirit help us to know Where to go in our hour of need and What to expect after we get there.  Thank You, Jesus.

By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated June 13, 2010