Monday, March 16, 2015

Mon., 3/16/15 Devotion (Jn. 6:68)

Today's encouragement comes from John 6:68, where we read these words:

"But Simon Peter answered Him [Jesus], 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.' "

Whenever we are tempted to believe that there could be happiness, content-ment, fulfillment, or any other good thing to be found *outside* of our connec-tion to the Lord Jesus Christ—let us remember Peter's words (above). To whom other could we go? Who, or what else could or does possess the pow-er to give eternal life?

The answer: there is no one and no thing that can do for us what Christ alone does for us. Let hypocrites abandon Christ and His church (as they did in this Jn. 6 chapter)—by so doing they show their true colors. But for all faithful and sincere Christians—made that way by grace—may we stick with the only One (Jesus) who gives us life.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Sinner, the day you leave your sins and set upon a course of holiness, God will pardon all that is past. . . . The Lord never up-braids a penitent with former unkindnesses.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Mis-chief of Sin"]