I have heard and read a lot over the years of people “walking out.” There have been parents who have walked out on their children, children who have walked out on their parents, spouses walking out on the other, employees walking out on their employers, etc. I have heard it, I have read it and it seems to become more prevalent as time continues with “walking out” to be the chosen course to any given situation where issues arise. One thing I have found in common with a lot of the “walk outs” is that when there is a challenge that one faces, a difficulty, then many just choose to “walk out.” This is something that is even prevalent in the Lord’s church. It is not something that is new, rather we find numerous examples of those who did some “walking out.”
One that comes to mind rather quickly is that of Jonah, who is well known to us from our youth. Jonah was given a command to go to Nineveh and “cry against it” due to the wickedness that had come up before God (Jonah 1:1,2). Jonah however decided to “walk out” on God. According to Jonah 1:3, Jonah fled from the presence of the Lord. Although physically he was moving that way getting into a ship going to Tarshish, his heart had already “walked out” on God. Jonah didn’t like the command God gave him and he obviously didn’t want to do what God had commanded him to do. So, he “walked out.” We beat Jonah up a lot as we discuss his attitude towards God and the command that God gave him. However, Jonah’s attitude was ubiquitous even during the days of Jesus. In John 6:48-59, Jesus tells His disciples about the life they are to live, a life that is bound up in Him. The disciples grumble and say among themselves in verse 60, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” Jesus’ sayings was not incomprehensible, rather it was difficult to tolerate. We further notice in the passage that Jesus does not say, “Did I say something too hard,” rather Jesus asked them “Does this offend you?” The fact is they didn’t want to accept what Jesus was saying. This group of our passage came together as they observed miracles Jesus performed and partook of what He gave them to eat. They were enjoying all of that. However, when Jesus told them about doing and living for Him rather than simply taking, or receiving, that wasn’t for them. That’s why when you read on to John 6:66 it says, “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.” My friends, they “walked out.”
Today, there are still many who are “walking out” on God, however, claim to be “faithful disciples.” As Jesus looks into our hearts today, does He find one who has “walked out” like those in John 6? Does Jesus see one who when a passage of scripture demands a change in our lives, yet turn a “blind eye” to it? Does Jesus see one, who when the word of God is proclaimed in our hearing and God’s word is instructing us, guiding us in the path that we should go, it “offends” us, we don’t do anything with it? If so, then such would classify us with those who although were “His disciples,” however made the decision to “walk with Him no more” (John 6:66).
Yes, people are well-known for “walking out” when difficulties arise, faced with truth, challenges that confront, etc. Instead of facing the challenges, growing in patience through the trials, striving to stay united together, people choose to “walk out.” Jonah’s “walk out” on God caught up to him rather quickly. If we “walk out” on God, it will catch up to us rather quickly as well. Not by being swallowed by a big fish, rather by being swallowed by the world and consumed. Let’s not “walk out” on God, rather let’s walk with God and each other to His praise, honor and glory (cf. Phil. 2:1-4; Micah 6:8).
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” – Micah 6:8
Something to think about. Have a great week! – DJ 🙂
