In Matthew 12:30 Jesus said, "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." In his preaching, Jesus never failed to combine power and tender­ness. He never failed to pity - yet also never failed to demonstrate truth, no matter how hard it seemed. He had just delivered a soul-searching sermon to the scribes and Pharisees, and now shows that it is time for decision - neu­trality is impossible! One is either for Christ or he is against Christ. But what is involved in either or both of these?

We need to be for Christ in the mental exercises that we all engage in. Paul saw the need of this when he said we must have the "mind of Christ" (Phil. 2:5). We know his view of sin, God, the church, brethren, etc.; now will we be "with him" in these?

We must be for Christ in the affections of the heart. What Jesus loves, do we love supremely? What he s, do we also - and certainly there are things the Lord s (Psa. 97:10; Pro. 6:16f).

We must be for him in overt activity in that which is right. His mission was to do the will of God (Lk. 2:49). Have we learned to live like he did, and for what he did? Are our aims and goals the same as his?

In spiritual exercises and conflicts, we must be for Christ. This is done when we resist evil (Jas. 4:7; 1 Tim. 6:11). It is done when we overcome worldliness by prayer and godly living, and hone our lives to live on a righteous and godly track, rather than taking all the sideroads and excursions into sin. As soldiers, we need to "fight the good fight of faith" (1 Tim. 6:12; Jude 3). We are in a war; make no mistake about it, and are "good soldiers of Christ" (2 Tim. 2:3). All these are involved when we are with Christ.

But it is also possible to be "against Christ," and we need to know what this involves. If we tend to think that the only way that one can be against Christ is to be there in open and flagrant re­bellion, we are mistaken.

First, it is certainly true that some are against Christ openly. They leave no doubt as to their feelings about Jesus. In this class we find the atheist, the infidel and the scoffer. The name of Satan is indelibly branded upon them! Their determination to serve sin is open for all to see. Not only will they tell you they are opposed to Christ, but they demon­strate it in their lives. But we go further.

It is possible for one to be perhaps not openly, but really against Christ. Among these are half-hearted Chris­tians. They possess some love for God; they have some proper desires - and yet their lives are not permeated with these things (Matt. 22:37; Deut. 10:12). These folks have just enough love for the Lord to make them happy, and just enough of the world to make them mis­erable. They are always hindered from duty, being occupied by trivial matters of the world, then brazenly come marching down the aisle on Sunday evening to "commune."

Some think they honor the Lord by their external observances. They pride them­selves with, "Oh, I know what the Bible teaches. .. I've read it." These are gen­erally only seen at worship services, but lack the conviction to wholly and to­tally commit themselves to God. No man was ever more deluded than those who have this mindset - not openly against Jesus, but really are!

But let us look at the conclusion of Christ on this matter. He said there was no "middle ground!" He recognizes only friends or enemies - not "passing ac­quaintances!" There are only faithful subjects or rebels (Matt 6:24). There is no "halfway house" between heaven and hell for the "half converted."

Doesn't our reason tell us, not to mention what Jesus said, that one cannot be for two opposites? Is not our conscience shaken when we read our Bibles, hear sermons, listen to encouragement from the faithful, or when we stand at the grave of a loved on? Can we with any conscience try to be "half way" for Christ?

By the cross of Jesus, he says: "I love you; I died for you." How then can we in turn only give him "lip service?" Friends, the cross of Christ shows "love so amaz­ing, so divine - Demands by soul, my life, my all."

Do we not seriously contemplate the day of judgment when we all shall stand be­fore the great throne of God? Christ is enthroned; he wields the scepter of the universe. All nations will be before him (Matt. 25:31ff). Will these countless my­riads be divided into three, four or five sections? No - there will only be two ­those who are for Christ or those who are against him. Which will you be in? - Bill Moseley

 

 

 

I remember when Nicolas, our "next to youngest" grandson was into the "cowboy phase" - just call him "Cowboy Nic," and he would answer. Nic was about 4 years old at the time, and he decided he wouldn't eat food anymore - it had to be "grub," in keep­ing with his new cowboy image. Nei­ther would he eat celery (got that from his grandfather), but did eat lots of "green carrots." I feared the day when he would find out what they really are!

Sort of reminded me, and still does, of some "big folks." Stay away from services for picky reasons, and yet want to be called "faithful." Refuse to give of our means, and still want folks to think we are doing our part. Start out attend­ing special classes, drop out and still want to be looked upon as "interested." I'm afraid we often have our "faithful­ness" and "interest" confused with half baked service to God. Call it what you will - that doesn't change what it really is, anymore than calling celery "green carrots" makes celery carrots.

If we are not going to give God our all, let's at least be honest and say what we really are. Well, I think Nic has out­grown his "cowboy stage," since he can now drive his Dad's car and is well into his High School years. I wish a lot of folks would grow up too. What they often do is simple - they are feasting on "green carrots" when they could be having the "sincere milk of the word." - Bill Moseley