August 5, 2022
From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” John 6:66-68
The task of God’s people is to point the despairing world toward the compassionate Savior who created each of us in love. In our fallen world, the idea of evolution as the explanation for our existence continues to spread. The implicit notions that accompany this satanically-inspired concept undermine the character of God, the purity of His motives, and the personal nature of His divine love. His Word, the Bible, is given to us as spiritual food. Jesus Himself said, “ I am the bread of life” (John 6:48), and we are to “eat” His word. Peter was correct when he said to Jesus, “You have the words of eternal life.”
The teaching of evolution has the effect of negating Scripture at the onset. Anyone who has made up his mind to “buy into” the evolution concept will suffer a severe spiritual handicap, should he attempt to read and understand God’s word. Yet, we must never forget, the Holy Spirit has the power to impress the intellect. The foundation of our task as representatives of our Lord is prayer. We understand that we have a job to do, but in order to do it we need a daily filling of the Spirit, for which we are instructed to ask. The world will continually attempt to draw us away from the Source of power essential for the task at hand. Before we know it, we are acting in our own power which is no match for the spiritual forces of evil that are arrayed against us.
Peter’s profound question, “Lord, to whom shall we go?” is one for all people to ponder. Believers must repent of acting in their own power and return to Christ. He promises to provide the power we need by His Spirit: “He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:26) He will guide you into all truth (John 16:13).
This is how we will accomplish the task of bringing others to Him. Think of the four friends who carried their friend to Jesus and lowered him through the roof (Mark 2:4). Let us be that kind of friend to those around us. “There is joy for all who put their trust in Jesus and exercise the faith that works by love and purifies the soul.” E.G.White
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy shall be in you and your joy shall be full.” John 15:11