Are We Disciples Or Deserters?

In John 6:66, after hearing great spiritual teachings from the Master teacher (John 6:28-59), the Scripture states: “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked no more with Him.“

By definition, every Christian has made a pledge to follow after the Lord. Similar to the marriage commitment, Christians have pledged their lives to a commitment of love, honor, and responsibility toward the Lord. However, as the days, weeks, and perhaps even years go by, many let their flame of devotion go dim, enthusiasm dies, and the child of God drifts away from his "first love" (Revelation 2:4). How sad to watch the once faithful servant return to the mire of sin (2 Peter 2:22).

The promises of God — His love, comfort, assurance, and eternal happiness are ours to enjoy if we labor diligently and faint not (1 Corinthians 15:53-58; Gal. 6:9) . The Hebrew writer says: “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:11-12). If we are to inherit the promises, we must remain true to our pledge to God.

At one time or another, each of us has allowed ourselves to be drawn into sin (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8; 1 John 1:10). We may have been allured by something fleshly and carnal, which we thought of as beautiful to the eye. Perhaps our pride, arrogance or greed took our focus off the Christian’s goal (1 John 2:16). Or we may have encountered difficulties, which we just did not want to face. For whatever the reason, if we are not a disciple, then we are a deserter.

God will deliver on his great and wonderful promises, if we will faithfully serve Him and not lose our faith in Him (2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 5:13; Revelation 2:10). But if we reject his promises and turn away to sin, or to a perversion of the gospel, our reward will be death and destruction (cf. Romans 1:18-32; Romans 2:1-9; Gal. 1:6-9). Every good soldier knows that those who do not carefully follow the leader’s commands are not only deserters, but also place their own lives and the lives of those around them, in serious jeopardy.

Beloved, let us be faithful disciples to the pledge of loyalty we have made to the Lord. And let us not grow weary in well doing (Gal. 6:9), that one day we may conquer death and enter into that blessed home reserved for the faithful (1 Corinthians 15:54-57; John 14:1-4; 1 Peter 1:4; Revelation 2:10).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets