To Whom Shall We Go?

David Eldridge

In the final portion of John 6 Jesus had been deserted by some of His followers (vs. 66). He then turns to His twelve and asks, “Do you also want to go away?” (vs. 67). Peter, upon hearing this question, begins his response with another question. He says, “Lord, to whom shall we go?” (vs. 68). This is a question many in the world are asking today and some are replying very differently than Peter. Let us consider where some seek to go today to find direction for their spiritual lives.

Shall We Go To Men?

Many, when faced with this question turn to respected men instead of the Lord. The Bible warns of the danger in this over and over again. In Jeremiah 10:23 the weeping prophet states, “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself, it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” Solomon stated the same truth in another way. He said, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12). We need to realize that when it comes to determining what direction our life should take that using the words of man as the great authority is both wrong and dangerous. However, we are constantly bombarded with names like Martin Luther, John Wesley, John Calvin, Charles Spurgeon, and others who in the eyes of some are infallible. It may do us good to remember what Peter told Cornelius. Cornelius had fallen down to worship Peter and Peter told him to stand up. Why? Peter said, “I myself am also a man” (Acts 10:26). Don’t think more highly than you should of any man. Realize the opinion of a fallible man is no place to seek direction for your spiritual well-being. So, we move on.

Shall We Go To Creeds?

I pose this question in this article for the simple fact that some would rather take what their denomination’s creed book says than what the Bible teaches. The word creed means “I believe.” The way the word creed is used today is almost always speaking of the articles of some particular denomination that govern practices. To have an uninspired book govern the way a group of people worship, believe, and obey the will of God is objectionable on many points. First, it is written by a man. As we have already seen men are fallible and likely to error. Secondly, we need nothing more than the Bible. Paul told Timothy that, “All scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (II Timothy 3:16,17). We do not need a discipline, confession, or manual to guide us, for God’s word and it alone can make us complete. In the works of Benjamin Franklin he states: “First, any creed containing more than the Bible is objectionable, because it does contain more than the Bible. Second, any creed containing less than the Bible is objectionable, because it does contain less than the Bible. Third, any creed differing from the Bible is objectionable, because it does differ from the Bible. Forth, any creed precisely like the Bible is useless, because we have the Bible.” To use a creed is to deny the all-sufficiency of the Bible!

Shall I Go To The Lord?

Returning now to Peter in John 6:68, he said, “Lord to whom shall we go, thou hast the words of eternal life.” Friends, we cannot turn to ourselves, another man, or some writing of a particular denomination to find the way of life eternal. Only Christ has the words of life and they are found only on the pages of inspiration – the Bible. That’s why Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Friends don’t take something for truth just because some respected man said it, some denomination taught it, or it is the way you think to be best. Take something as being truth because it is what Jesus revealed as truth in His word!