Bible Studies
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE As A Member OR Visitor
Message Writer
Hire Writer
Report Article
OPPORTUNISTIC FAITH
"The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with His disciples, but that they had gone away alone.
"Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor His disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus." John 6:22-24 (NIV).
Strange! How did Jesus get back to Capernaum when there was only one boat and He was not in it when the disciples returned from their impromptu picnic?
They had obviously spent the night in the vicinity so that they could be on site when Jesus reappeared the next morning. They knew He must be there because He stayed on the mountain when the disciples set off across the lake. But He had mysteriously disappeared. They waited in vain for Him. Eventually they returned to Capernaum, using the available boats moored nearby.
"When they found Him on the other side of the lake, they asked Him, 'Rabbi, when did you get here?' " John 6:25 (NIV).
Did He give them the slip in the night and walk back to Capernaum? It would have been a long overnight walk and He certainly would have been too tired to be up early and about His business again. They were curious to know how He had returned without a boat, but He didn't answer them. He was not obliged to satisfy their curiosity. His response went straight to the point.
"Jesus answered, 'Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs performed but because you ate the bread and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.' " John 6:26, 27 (NIV).
These people were opportunists, and Jesus saw right through them. He ripped the cover off the most heinous of all motives for following Him, self-interest.
The book of Job, the most ancient of all the Old Testament writings, explores this "factory fault" in the make-up of all fallen human beings. Behind the scenes and unknown to Job, God boasted to the devil of Job's righteousness. 'Only because you mollycoddle him!' the devil shot back. 'Touch the possessions you have lavished on him and he'll turn on you,' he challenged. 'Okay,' the Lord replied, 'You can take away everything he has but you can't touch him.'
Satan let rip on Job and mercilessly stripped him of everything, including his children. In the midst of his devastation, he responded with humble submission to the will of God. 'What about his health?' the devil hissed. Again God agreed to let him afflict his body but not to take his life. 'Then we'll see what happens,' He confidently declared.
Job was bewildered by this sudden turn of events but, in spite of his grief and confusion, he was still determined to trust God. Not even anger and accusation could bring him to "curse God and die" as his wife suggested. The process to understanding was painful, but Job passed the test. He was not as concerned about his loss as he was about God's silence. He felt that God was angry with him and he could not understand why.
How tragic that we so often, with the whole Bible at our disposal and the Holy Spirit within us to interpret it, have fallen for the devil's lie that salvation is all about us and that God is here to serve us. When things go wrong, many of God's people turn on Him and demand an explanation.
This attitude undermines the very foundation of what God did for us in Christ. His love was the motive, not our need or even our worth yet often our attitude exposes our hearts. We think that God owes it to us. "Why me, God? What have I done to deserve this?" Job's heart was right and he passed the test, even though he knew nothing of the reason for it.
Can God have the same confidence in you, that "though He slay you, yet will you trust in Him? “Or are you in it for what you can get out of it?
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE AS A MEMBER OR VISITOR
This article has been read 666 times < Previous | Next >
Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.