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In my last year of teaching, the principal of the Christian school where I taught chose for our yearly theme the phrase, “No Turning Back”. To this end, I hung a "No U-turn sign on my classroom door . As well, in various ways the school explored this theme throughout the year. At the end of the year, June 2011, I retired. The picture in which I hold up the sign is a clever documentation of the end of my old life as a full time teacher. My husband and I looked forward to new adventures in the years ahead.
The traffic symbol on my door was a light-hearted interpretation of not turning back to our old ways. Unfortunately, people in the Bible turned back many times. After Jesus had fed 5,000 people from a boy's small lunch, He walked on water, and taught His disciples that He was the true bread of life from Heaven. “At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him." (John 6:66 NLT) These people were uncomfortable with what they were hearing. The teaching was too heavy for them. New believers thought they had to incorporate their former beliefs into this new thinking. They didn't understand that Jesus was teaching them a new way, and that having faith was enough for salvation. Submitting to Jewish laws and traditions was not necessary.
When the disciples turned away from Jesus, He asked his twelve special friends, “Are you also going to leave? ”
“Lord to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.” (John 6:88 NLT)
Similarly, there were times in my life in my immaturity, when I wanted to “quit”, to turn back. My friend, a wise pastor's wife, pointed out, “Where would we go, if we turned back in our faith?” Jesus has all we need. There is no other way.
In addition, Paul, in speaking to the Galatian church, says, “I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ.” (Galatians 1:6 NLT)
Gentile believers in the church were being taught that they had to undergo circumcision and follow Jewish dietary restrictions as well, in order to grow in their new faith. Paul further states, “How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to be perfect by your own human effort?" (Galatians 3:3 NLT) They had become believers by accepting, by faith, the message of Christ's sacrifice on the cross. Insisting that the new believers had to follow the rules of Judaism in addition was a step backwards. That was totally unnecessary for their new life.
“Lord to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.” (John 6:88 NLT)
In conclusion, Paul sums up by saying “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." (Galatians 5:1 NLT)
Prayer: Lord, despite the difficult life-lessons that lie before us, help us not to react by giving up, by turning back. In Your mercy, enlighten us; show us how Your words apply to our own situations. Help us to grow in grace, as we look forward. Help us not to turn back to things that hinder us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Alice Burnett
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
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