John 6:64-68 KJV “… Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. {65} And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. {66} From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. {67} Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? {68} Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. “

“Will you also go away?” These are sad words the Savior asks, words that He asks you even today. “Will you also go away?” The Lord asks you, dear ones, if you will follow Him or if you will follow the world. Will you walk where He walked, carrying a message of hope to the sick, the dying, and the despised? Will you do as He did and unselfishly carry God’s love to those who need it most, to the downcast, the outcast, and the hurting? Will you look beyond yourself and your own petty desires and begin to love as Jesus loved? Will you tell others that Jesus Christ is the Only Way unto God (John 14:6), or will you taint the message of the Gospel with your own opinion? Jesus Christ alone has the words of eternal life. Will you stay with Him or will you go?

Oh politicians, do you walk where Jesus walks? Many will with the R rated spectacle of the Presidential debates tonight rooting for two candidates struggling with morality. Politician, do you know Him as your Lord and Savior, and do you honor Him with the life you live? Those elected by the people must live their lives in step with the Savior, or we as a people will continue to stagger under the weight of sin. You who serve the people must serve God first, knowing that “there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (Romans 13:1). The people may have voted, but it was the Lord who put you in that place of power. Honor Jesus and walk in love toward those you serve.

Oh pastors, do you walk where Jesus walks? Many will stand in the pulpit this Sunday having no regard for the Word of God. Do we weigh our words carefully, knowing that the Master will hold us accountable for how we treat His Church? If we serve well we will receive double honor (1 Timothy 5:17). If we walk away from Him we are warned in Scripture “we shall receive the greater condemnation” (James 3:1). Do you not know that Jesus died for His Church, and that He loves her dearly? We are called to equip the saints, enabling them to walk where Jesus walks (Ephesians 4:12). Christ alone has the words of eternal life. We must tell the people this while there is yet time.

Oh parents, do you walk where Jesus walks? Does your private life honor the Lord as much as your public life professes? You may not realize this, but you are being watched by both God and your children. God will not mimic your way of life, but your children will. You teach your children how to walk, how to read, how to ride a bicycle. You teach your children how to play sports, and may attend every game. Praise God for your love – for these are good things. But may I say that the best thing is to live your life walking where Jesus walks. Every step you take in your home teaches your children how to love or hate, to tell lies or speak the truth, to be sober or drunken, graciousness or hypocritical, racist or righteous, mean spirited or Spirit Filled. You may go to Church and praise Christ in a loud voice, but if you leave Church without Christ and live at home without Christ your child will grow up thinking religion is of no more value than a hat or a happy meal. Jesus Christ has blessed you with that child – raise that child to walk where Jesus walks, dear parent, while there is yet time.

Oh people, do you walk where Jesus walks? We may blame the politicians, the pastors, and the parents for the condition of our country, but we are just as much to blame. We vote for the politicians and for those who empower the judges. If the Ten Commandments and prayer have been removed from our public places aren’t we all to blame? Do you pray for your elected officials, rendering to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s (Mark 12:17)? Do you write or call your elected officials when they make a bad decision – or do you just gripe about it to your friends. Politicians cannot read minds. You need to let them know that you want them to walk where Jesus walks. Remember to pray for your pastor, and ask God to give him the strength to walk as Jesus walked. Remember that your pastor is only an imperfect man. Love him and encourage him when he walks where Jesus walks. Gently correct him when his steps do not follow the Savior’s footprints. Pray for the parents, encouraging them to walk where Jesus walks. We live in terrible times where violence and immorality are piped into the home through demons we call television, radio, and computer. Pray that parents will love their children enough to turn these things off and open a Bible every now and then. Read the words of life to the children. Remember the words of Peter, “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.”

Please join us a Riverview Baptist every Sunday 8:30 am, 11 am, 6 pm
or every Wednesday 7 pm
798 Santa Fe Pike in beautiful Columbia, Tn 38401