John 6:64-71 The Things Behind

John 6:64-71

The Things Behind

John 6:64-71 MKJV But there are some of you who do not believe. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who is the one betraying Him. (65) And He said, Because of this I said to you that no one can come to Me unless it was given to him from My Father. (66) From this time many of His disciples went back into the things behind, and walked no more with Him. (67) Then Jesus said to the Twelve, Do you also wish to go away? (68) Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the Words of eternal life. (69) And we have believed and have known that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. (70) Jesus answered them, Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? And one of you is a devil? (71) But he spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon; for it was he who was about to betray Him, being one of the Twelve.

This is the point when many walk away from Jesus and go back to their former lives: “From this time many of His disciples went back into the things behind, and walked no more with Him.” (Interestingly this is John 6:66!)

There seem to be two kinds of unbelievers here a) the unbelievers b) the betrayer – Judas. The unbelievers were numerous. The betrayer was one evil man – Judas Iscariot (v.70).

Jesus explains the unbelievers thus: “Because of this I said to you that no one can come to Me unless it was given to him from My Father.” Faith is a gift that God gives under many and varied circumstances. Without this gift of faith no one can come to Christ. Why do some not receive it? That is a mystery but some do not even desire to receive it! If we go through the rest of John 6 we find that those that walked away seem to be those centered on this life - and wanted a political Messiah who they could make King and who would give them bread. Such folk want tangible and immediate solutions and have little place for faith.

But the Betrayer was not just ignorant, or faith-less – but rather was evil and Satanic so full of greed and treachery that Jesus could call Judas ‘a devil” (v.70).

Peter, by contrast, clung to Christ: Then Jesus said to the Twelve, Do you also wish to go away? (68) Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the Words of eternal life. (69) And we have believed and have known that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Peter was not anchored in the miracles nor in free bread nor in political activism but in the truth of what Christ taught: “You have the Words of eternal life.” Truth is the safest place of all; because political programs may fail, miracles may cease and the bread may run out - but God is always the same.

Why didn’t Jesus explain Himself more carefully to the unbelievers? Surely they could have been persuaded to believe with a little more effort? Why did He seem to deliberately offend them and drive them away? Matthew Henry writing on this passage says: “The corrupt and wicked heart of man often makes that an occasion of offence which is indeed matter of the greatest comfort.”

People are continually offended at God and seem to believe that they can say to God: “You are fired.”

Certain doctrines and bible passages offend some, others are offended at the Trinity or at laws governing sexual immorality, or by the need to repent and believe. People even dismiss God over trifles such as a preacher using old-fashioned language and clothing. Such people are not seeking God in the first place. They are in fact seeking a world ordered to their own satisfaction and interests. When God fails to satisfy, they fail to follow.

Jesus did not change His doctrine or His message in order to get people to follow Him (or turn up in Church). Instead He stated hard puzzling truths that only persistent determined seekers of God would stick with.

God does not need us to follow Him. God is in fact without any needs (as we would understand them) being completely self-sufficient and needing nothing from His worshippers: Acts 17:24-25 MKJV The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of Heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands, (25) nor is served with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives life and breath and all things to all.

The local church may feel it needs us, and the pastor may say he needs us, but God has absolutely no need of us. So if we want to go back to the former things, the inadequate things, the things that are behind, then it does no damage to God, only to ourselves. It is a clear case of “cutting off our nose to spite our face.” Apostasy is thus a completely self-centered and futile act of revenge against God.

If I quit my ministry today then God would raise up another missionary to take my place. God needs no followers and no servants. The service we give to God is our privilege and calling – not something God requires because He is incomplete or needy in some way. As John Milton wrote when he became blind:

“God doth not need either man’s work or his own gifts. Who best bear His mild yoke, they serve Him best, His State is Kingly. Thousands at His bidding speed and post o’er land and ocean without rest: They also serve who only stand and wait.”

Comments

What is epikaizo?

What is Epikaizo? Epikaizo (overshadow) is a Hebrew word used in the Bible to talk of the highest manifestation of God’s power. This is when God’s presence overwhelms (overshadows, overtakes) man and causes the physical faculties of man to lose their earthly essence and take upon the form of the Spirit. This is when the natural is quickened by the concentration of God’s power to materialize into the supernatural. Moses experienced the Epikaizo when he spent 40 days 40 nights on the mountain. What can I do to experience Epikaizo? The key to Epikaizo is Revelation – Go for the Word! 1 Peter 1:13 ‘‘Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;’’ King James Version Whether you are meditating more in His word, studying to know Him more personally, praying in other tongues, associating with those in the Epikaizo experience, confessin

Dr Abel Damina's shocking answers on tithing. ''Christian should not pay tithes....

Dr Abel Damina's shocking answers on tithing. ''Christian should not pay tithes.. they should give more''. Dr Abel Damina once again blows the mind of the religious custodians of the law with his views on tithing as regards new testament christians. Tithing in the Bible - Is Tithing for the New Testament Believer? Why You Should NOT Tithe (Selected Scriptures) “It would be political suicide to give that speech,” said an aide to his boss. “He’s right, Senator,” chimed in another aide. “It’s just one clear-cut statement after another” (Morrie Brickman, Reader’s Digest [4/83]). It’s probably suicidal for a pastor to preach on why you should not tithe! It’s risky at best, because some may hear the part about not tithing and block out the rest of the message! I would guess that if everyone who came regularly to this church gave ten percent to the church, our income would probably triple, at least! So why am I not preac

REIGNING BY GRACE

REIGNING BY GRACE Visit your favorite retailer to download a free copy of GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION FOR YOU by Kum Eric Tso or simply click here: smashwords.com to go the author's page. Visit your favorite retailer to download a free copy of GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION FOR YOU by Kum Eric Tso or simply click here: smashwords.com to go the author's page. “So that as sin has reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:21. I SHALL not pretend to enter into the fullness of this text, but merely select that topic, “grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” Our apostle represents man as being subject to two great kings. Sin is the grim tyrant, to whom, in the first place, man has bowed his willing neck. The reign of sin is a reign of terror and delusion; it promises pleasure, but being full of all manner of de

10 Richest Pastors: Millionaires Spark Controversy!

10 Richest Pastors: Millionaires Spark Controversy! This is rather an unusual post, I guess! The ranking of men of God according to their wealth? Many are puzzled by the thought that being a pastor can be a ticket to fortune and wealth, but times have changed. I, in no way endorse any of the pastors featured here but merely present a realistic ranking of the top 10 richest pastors in the world. Below is a list of 10 Richest Pastors who are raking in megabucks as they spread the word. Note: I was inspired to invest in multi-businesses though being a totally committed preacher by the testimony of Prophet Shepherd Bushiri, a preacher and business man with million dollar investments all across the world. He said: ''I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me." I believe God is not against getting rich but against doing so through fraudulent means or with wrong motives. Of what use is money to me if it's not used to glorify the crea

John 8:1-11 The Woman Caught In Adultery

John 8:1-11 The Woman Caught In Adultery John 8:1-11 MKJV But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. (2) And early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him. And He sat down and taught them. (3) And the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman taken in adultery. And standing her in the midst, (4) they said to Him, Teacher, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. (5) Now Moses in the Law commanded us that such should be stoned. You, then, what do you say? (6) They said this, tempting Him so that they might have reason to accuse Him. But bending down, Jesus wrote on the ground with His finger, not appearing to hear. (7) But as they continued to ask Him, He lifted Himself up and said to them, He who is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her. (8) And again bending down, He wrote on the ground. (9) And hearing, and being convicted by conscience, they went out one by one, beginning at the oldest, until t

7 GROSS MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT MONEY

The following article is an excerpt from the book: Introduction to Money Mastery Click here to download a free copy . 7 GROSS MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT MONEY Visit Money Master Tutorials to learn how to make, maintain and multiply your money. There are many misconceptions about money and some of these account for why many are so misled into living in perpetual bondage. There are many opportunities and possibilities out there for anyone to prosper financially. It all depends on your mindset. If you have a negative mindset, you will approach money wrongly. It’s all about mindset! Most of these erroneous misconceptions are religious and those who adhere to them are most often the most miserable in society. So it all boils down to faith: what you believe determines what you become. I have seen many dressing poorly in the name of holiness. It is so bad to the point that people neglect basic things like ta

John 3:1-8 Born-Again Of The Spirit

John 3:1-8 Born-Again Of The Spirit John 3:1-8 HCSB There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. (2) This man came to Him at night and said, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher, for no one could perform these signs You do unless God were with him." (3) Jesus replied, "I assure you: Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (4) "But how can anyone be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked Him. "Can he enter his mother's womb a second time and be born?" (5) Jesus answered, "I assure you: Unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (6) Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. (7) Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again. (8) The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don't know where it comes from or where it is going. So

John 7:2-10 Jesus’ Unbelieving Brothers

John 7:2-10 Jesus’ Unbelieving Brothers John 7:2-10 MKJV And the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near. (3) Therefore His brothers said to Him, Move away from here and go into Judea, so that Your disciples also may see the works that You do. (4) For no one does anything in secret, while he himself seeks to be in public. If you do these things, reveal yourself to the world. (5) For His brothers did not believe in Him. (6) Then Jesus said to them, My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. (7) The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its works are evil. (8) You go up to this feast; I am not yet going up to this feast; for My time is not yet fulfilled. (9) And having said these things to them, He remained in Galilee. (10) But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as in secret. The Feast of Tabernacles or “Feast of Booths was the “Jewish camping feast” (Goodenough) at the end

My Covenant With You I Will Not Break - Pastor Alph LUKAU ~ Voiceofdom...

My Covenant With You I Will Not Break - Pastor Alph LUKAU ~ Voiceofdominion com Pastor Alph Lukau of Allelujah Ministries International (AMI), a man set aside by God, anointed with a supreme anointing edifies the congregation with yet another deep revelation from the volume of the scriptures. Through this life transforming encountered captured by voiceofdominion.com, the man of God unravels the mysteries of a covenant relationship with God. Alph Lukau, as he loves to call himself, serves God in an unconventional way that can only be understood by those who know the value of a covenant. We trust that this message will lift up your faith and bring salvation, healing, deliverance and all of God's blessings in your life in Jesus' Name.

BORN TO REIGN

Search This Blog

Total Pageviews