Whose side are you on?
English: Michmethath__which_is_before_Shechem (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Sometimes I think it is terribly difficult to tell whose side some of my Christian brothers and sisters are on. The words we communicate with our mouths are quite different from the things we do with our hands. Furthermore, we often get engulf in the issue of the moment, and we frequently say and do things that we later regret.
For example, on May 31, 2009, abortion Dr. George Tiller was shot and killed, while he served as an usher in his Wichita church, by anti-abortion activist, Scott Roeder. Many anti-abortion Christians celebrated the heinous act, lauded the shooter and commented that Tiller got what was coming to him. Can two wrongs make one right? No. Fighting fire with fire is most certainly not the approach Jesus would use when attempting to resolve a conflict. Suffice it to say, Jesus did not respond in kind, when he was violently nailed to the cross. Instead, He said: “Father, forgive them, for they know what they do.”
So, whose side are you really on? Is it Jesus’, (whose life is the epitome of love and all its attributes? The man who says, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,’) or is it the devil’s?
When the Patriarch Joshua was nearing the end of his life, he became worried for his people. Many of them fell back into their old ways. He felt afraid they would fall even further when he is gone. The Bible says, “Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He summoned the elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel, and they presented themselves before God. Then he challenged them in the following words.
And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. However, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).
That day the people of Israel renewed their covenant with God and declared that they will serve the Lord. Will you do the same today?
13 Responses to “Whose side are you on?”
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Excellent message Noel!
If Christians could remember this one thing….”The battle is the Lords”, then they would not take matters into their own hands
1 Samuel 17:47
And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hands.
2 Chronicles 20:15
And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
I’m on the Lord’s side!
Minister Glenda
Reblogged this on GoodOleWoody's Blog and Website and commented:
<==== On the Lord's side!
Two wrongs do NOT make a right.
Thankfully, we live in a country where we are able to make our voice heard in legitimate ways. We can write to politicians. We can write ‘letters to the editor’. We can sign petitions. We can use talk-back radio. We can publicly stand up for what we believe without resorting to illegal measures or actions which harm others.
We SHOULD stand up and be counted. We SHOULD uphold the Christian way in the public arena – but do so with love and a desire for God to be honoured.
A good message Noel. Thanks.
Amen! We especially need to watch our actions when we’re under attack. Forgive quickly and let the Lord handle our battles. Great Post, Noel!
God Bless You!
This is great! It’s so true that sometimes Christians’ thoughtless actions and comments fall far below the standard Christ has set.
Bless you for writing this piece.
What a message! The Scripture that immediately came to my mind was, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” It’s sometimes easy to talk the talk, without actually walking the walk that we talk about, isn’t it? It would serve us well to remember that popular phrase of a few years ago, “What Would Jesus Do?” when confronted with making choices, especially the difficult ones. Taking time for pause, praying, and thinking twice and responding once, would also be helpful! Unfortunately, sometimes our passionate feelings and beliefs get the best of us! Angela and Minister Glenda, shared wonderful suggestions and encouragement in the comment stream! Thank you so much, Noel! I’m on the Lord side! God bless you, and all you do for His glory!
Paulette
My Friend Noel, when I read your work, I know that it is nothing but the hand of God that is upon you and moving you to higher grounds. I thank you for sharing the truth of God’s word with all of us. In-addition, I pause and thank you for your loyal visits to my ministry. It is faithful servants like yourself that helps to keep the conversation going and spreading the gospel to those that are in the greatest need. I truly do appreciate you my brother. May God continue to bless you and your ministry as he moves you to the next level in carry out his work here on this earth. Peace my brother.