PERMANENTLY ROOTED IN CHRIST
Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:67-68).
The Bible tells us that some of the Lord’s disciples were offended after He preached a certain message, and they stopped following Him. These were not strangers. They had been with Him for some time. They had given of their substance, supported His ministry, and witnessed His miracles. But when the Master said, “…Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you” (John 6:53), they couldn’t handle it. They walked out on Him.
As a result, the Lord turned to the twelve disciples and asked, “Will you also go away?” Peter’s response was remarkable. He said, “…Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). That’s commitment. That’s permanence. This is the example to emulate.
Today, some people still act like those multitudes who were offended at the Master. They’re unsettled, easily shaken by correction, or even hearsay. There’s no stability in their lives. The Pastor preaches on a subject, and they conclude he’s talking about them. As a result, they get offended and withdraw from their commitment in church and their partnership in the Gospel. This attitude is carnal.
Choose stability. Be rooted and grounded in the Word, in the Faith and in the house of God. I love the way the NIV puts it in Colossians 2:6-7, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Be the kind of person who’s permanently rooted in Christ, whose conviction is deep, strong, reliable and unwavering.
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for your life in me, and the Holy Spirit who has brought stability to my life, making my faith effectual. My conviction is deep, strong and unwavering as I follow you with steadfastness, loyalty and focus, for you alone are God. I am rooted, grounded and established in Christ, now and always, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
John 6:66-69 KJV, Colossians 2:6-7 AMPC , Psalm 119:165 KJV
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: 1 Peter 5 & Ezekiel 35-36
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: John 15:1-10 & 1 Chronicles 26
