Why Do People Walk Away From Christ?

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, This is a hard saying; who can listen to it? (John 6:60 ESV)

After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the Twelve, Do you want to go away as well? Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God. (John 6:66-69 ESV)

I've been fascinated by the sixth chapter of John for a few weeks now. I spoke to our children's camp from this passage and challenged the children to never turn away. I shared this same passage with our Young Adult's Fellowship last Tuesday night at Round Table. We talked about why many young people walk away from Christ during their late teens and where they were going. Tonight, I'm reading this passage again while enjoying a great non-fat latte at Panera Bread. The thought of turning from away from Christ puzzles me because, like Peter, I believe there really is nowhere else to go. Christ alone has the words of eternal life. Why then do people stop walking with Jesus?

Serving the Lord is not always easy. Sometimes it is very difficult. Why? Well, just off the top of my head...

• And he said to all, If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23 ESV)

• And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:24 ESV)

• No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. (Luke 16:13 ESV)

• Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV)

• Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I tell you? (Luke 6:46 ESV)

The list goes on and on. Serving the Lord is not always easy, but then again, the only other option leads us down a path of destruction...

• Good sense wins favor,but the way of the treacherous is their ruin. (Proverbs 13:15 ESV)

• There is a way that seems right to a man,but its end is the way to death. (Proverbs 14:12 ESV)

• Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:13-14 ESV)

No matter how difficult is may be to serve the Lord and follow Him, we must never turn away. Christ alone has the words of eternal life that we need.

Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God. (John 6:68-69 ESV)

Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 ESV)

I'll stop here for now but I want to share some more thoughts on this passage later. Have a great day! We are kicking off or Vacation Bible School tonight...keep us in your prayers!

Comments

[Michie DeBerry]

I was wondering this myself. There is an entire website dedicated to people who have turned away from Christ to no religion, atheism, etc. What makes people turn from the living God to falsehood? What makes people reject it? 1 Cor 2 has an answer, that the preaching of the cross to them that are saved is wisdom, but to those that perish foolishness. This is something that I have been pondering, and am definitely interested in doing a further study on.