No Alternative

Sunday, September 15, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.”

John 6:66–69

For part of His ministry, Jesus was extremely popular. Huge crowds gathered whenever news spread Jesus was nearby. The miracles that He worked, healing those who were sick, casting out demons, and feeding multitudes gave Him a reputation. But Jesus recognized that many of those followers were only interested in the benefits they could receive rather than the truths He was teaching. “Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled” (John 6:26).

When a large number of His followers left after Jesus focused their attention on what it would cost those who truly followed Him. Jesus asked the remaining disciples if they were also going to desert Him. Peter’s response was short and pointed—there is nowhere else to go. Only Jesus has the truth and is the Truth. Only Jesus came to point us to the Father. Only Jesus has the ability to deliver on the offer of eternal life.

Many people today are looking for new alternatives when it comes to doctrine and spiritual growth. Like the crowds in Jesus’ day, they find His teaching too hard to follow because of what He requires. So they abandon what they were taught in search of a new doctrine. But there is no alternative to Jesus and the Word of God. There is no one else to whom we can turn and hope to receive correct guidance and instruction—Jesus is the only way.

Today's Growth Principle: 

Seeking direction for life and eternity apart from the Word of God is doomed to failure.