Mike closes this post with:
My brethren, we must examine ourselves daily to seek to walk as close as possible with the Lord. This requires prayer and repentance as God shows us where we need to confess and seek forgiveness. This is how we walk this walk in obedience to Him. This is what genuine disciples do. I pray that God opened your heart to these truths and that you are committed to following Jesus with both hands on the plow with your eyes fixed straight ahead on the Lord.
As I read it, it was quite challenging. There actually is no easy path to believing and following.
Later we read in John’s gospel that there is however great assurance..
Assurance of Faith
Jhn 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
Jhn 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
Jhn 6:39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
Jhn 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
And the examples Mike quotes are of personal encounters with Jesus. But also note John goes on to speak about a much broader and sad reaction of many disciples….
Going Back
Jhn 6:64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
Jhn 6:65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
Jhn 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Jhn 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
Rainbow Trout 