Will Ye Also Go Away?

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 16, 1862

Will Ye Also Go Away?

“Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?”—John vi, 67.

Many left Jesus in the days of his flesh. They misunderstood his doctrine; consequently their expectations were disappointed, and they left him and went their way. Many leave Christ now; some for business, some for gold, and some for carnal pleasure. How many dead branches fall off? How many depart to walk no more with him! To us, also, Jesus puts the question, “Will ye also go away?” Go from Jesus! To whom should we go? or where should we go? He only has what we want. He alone can do what we need. What can give us peace but his blood? What can inspire us with hope but the word of his grace? What can sustain us but his strength? And what can give us the victory but his love? O Jesus! we are absolutely dependent on thee. Every thing we need is in thee. No one can satisfy the cravings of our minds but thyself. Go from thee! leave thee! Heaven forbid it! Didst thou not lay down thy life for us? Didst thou not call us by thy grace? Hast thou not led us and fed us all our lives long? Is not all our salvation in thee? Come not all our supplies from thee? Are we not expecting glory, honor, and immortality, even eternal life, through thee? Go from thee! that were certain death, black despair, everlasting ruin. Go from thee! perish the thought, preserve us from the temptation,—keep, oh! keep us from this sin. Oh! keep us as the apple of the eye; keep us by thy mighty power, through faith unto salvation. Go from Jesus! rather let us get nearer to him, and cleave to him with full purpose of heart. Let us walk with him in love, labor for him with energy, suffer for him with patience, and look forward to an everlasting residence with him with joy.

“Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.”—John vi, 68.