Category: Westminster Larger Catechism Study

I consider John 6:66 one of the saddest verses in the Bible.

“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” (John 6:66)

But earlier John wrote down for us what Jesus taught.

Joh 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.
Joh 6:38  For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
Joh 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.
Joh 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.

Btw, I’m glad there were no verse numbers in the original Greek text otherwise somebody would tie John 6:66 to the other book John gave us.

Timely article. Mike is right there is a mystery in this. And so easy to mishandle. You would think we could just follow Jesus’ teach us how to pray examples. But so many abuse it within Prosperity Gospel realm, Word of Faith and NAR movements, to the Contemplative Prayer guru’s and Lectio Divina, literally meaning “divine reading,” is an ancient practice of praying the Scriptures.….right up to the classic Roman Catholic doctrines of praying to/through Mary and the Saints.

Like many things in faith perhaps there truly is a narrow way.

Mat 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Good points Mike.
Jesus taught about building on the solid rock and not the sand. I think you capture that with the words:

“A person who is doing this correctly will evidence this through their commitment to Christ’s personal Lordship and their presupposition of the Word of the Lord as having authority in all parts of their life.“

Mat 7:24  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Mat 7:25  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
Mat 7:26  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
Mat 7:27  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

I like the inclusion of the word “life” in your sentence. Reminds me of how the old Westminster Confession of Faith refers to God’s word in Chapter 1 section 6…..” 6. The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men….”

One most often today hears, if doctrine is spoken at all, on this applying only to Personal faith and practice in the church…..our whole lives are not addressed. Let alone anyone else’s.