Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.
John 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
The point of no return is normally a technical aviation term in navigation to refer to the point on a flight when, due to fuel consumption, a plane is no longer capable of returning to the airfield from which it took off. Major decisions have to be made at that point to ensure the safety of lives and equipment. Literally they are at the point of flying on a wing and a prayer. We all come to a place in life where we make a decision that can be referred to as “The point of no return.”
As we walk through life and in our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ there comes a day when we say in our hearts and homes the same thing Joshua said in his day. Josh 24:15b “But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” This statement was Joshua’s point of no return.
Jesus had given a very hard word to his disciples and followers. There was a clear doctrine of belief expressed that Jesus was the bread of life and there was no other way to obtain eternal life. John 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. The murmuring was swift and the idea unacceptable to many. John 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with Him. At this point, Jesus asks the remaining disciples an interesting question. John 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? The remaining disciples answer is the answer that comes after realizing they are at the point of no return. John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
How true Peter’s statement is when he expressed his heart, “You have the words of life, where can we go?” How many times have you come to that place in life where things are very hard and the pressure to compromise seems to be the only option? However, you know in your heart you have already passed the point of no return when you had honestly made Christ the Lord of your life. We may feel trapped and think that compromise is the way out, but if we are mature Christian we will know that Jesus has the words of life for that situation. John 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
How true Peter’s statement is when he expressed his heart, “You have the words of life, where can we go?” How many times have you come to that place in life where things are very hard and the pressure to compromise seems to be the only option? However, you know in your heart you have already passed the point of no return when you had honestly made Christ the Lord of your life. We may feel trapped and think that compromise is the way out, but if we are mature Christian we will know that Jesus has the words of life for that situation. John 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
Maybe you are facing a difficult situation in your health, finances or relationships and feel you are at the end of your ability to know what to do and the temptation of compromise seems like the only option. Perhaps you feel like giving up on your health. Your excuse to keep using substances you already know are destroying yourself and your family seems a reasonable delusion. The idea of defrauding a company or a person seems justified because the pressures of financial ruin is threatening your ability to bring home an honest wage and theft seems to be a short-term answer. Maybe you are entering a relationship you already know will be abusive and sensually dishonoring all because your fears of being alone and unwanted are a constant reminder. You are not alone as many are facing the same points of no return in their lives.
Matt. 7:13 You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. Instead of compromising, face life with a bull-dog tenacity and stick to the leading of the Holy Spirit. We will overcome because the point of no return concerning God’s word being our standard will take precedence. There will be a knowing deep in our hearts that God will come through for us even though we cannot see a way it could happen. Yet at that moment we will know God’s faithfulness, but we have to reject compromising our righteousness in Christ. Rom. 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
There are many hard sayings in God’s word that can upset a person and their personal beliefs. We can either stay with the Lord and do what He asks of us or we can leave Him and go off and trust our own devices. The point of no return is when we act or react to what Christ says. The Lord is either Lord of all or not at all. The choice is ours. As for me and my house, I choose the words Peter so profoundly said. John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
I have made up my mind, I will follow Jesus. There may be times that compromise might seem preferable, but by faith and grace in God’s life-giving word, I will choose life. Deut. 30:19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants. May we all come to the place where God’s word takes precedence in our lives and the point of no return becomes the point of victory. Amen!
I have made up my mind, I will follow Jesus. There may be times that compromise might seem preferable, but by faith and grace in God’s life-giving word, I will choose life. Deut. 30:19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants. May we all come to the place where God’s word takes precedence in our lives and the point of no return becomes the point of victory. Amen!
Bless you Larry. May your day be full of the power of the Lord working in you to accomplish a good work!
Good word Sir, packed with applicable and complimentary verses. This will get me through the day.