Whose Side?
Jesus wraps up his Sermon on he Mount in Matthew chapter 7. He taught the people not to judge others because God alone is the righteous judge. Then he warned them, beware of false prophets because they will ravage the flock of the church dressed like wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Jesus said, many will say, Lord, Lord did we not cast out demons and do many mighty miracles in your name? Jesus said, even though they thought they knew me, I will say unto them, depart from me you workers of iniquity. I never knew you.
Many believe in God… that God exists. Even the demons believe and tremble. Jesus said, there are many false prophets…. They speak the lies of their father, the devil. They are ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing. Jesus said, even though they look like the sheep, you shall know the false prophets by their fruit. An evil tree produces rotten fruit. A good tree produces good fruit. He didn’t call us to judge others…. Instead he called us to inspect their fruit. An evil tree produces corrupt, rotten, and evil fruit of vanity and vain glory that leads to destruction. But a good tree produces the good fruit of the spirit. And the fruit of the spirt is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self control…. Against such there is no law.
An interviewer asked Pastor David Jeremiah, “Given the current condition of the United States, do you think God’s given up on America?” David answered, “I don’t think God’s given up on America… I think America has given up on God.” Jesus said, whosoever will may come. The open invitation is to “come unto me all ye who are weary and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” God is no respector of persons, nations, or people groups… he is, however, a respector of His word. To come to the Lord is on his terms, not ours.
In the Civil War both the Union and the Confederate armies claimed that God was on their side. To settle this dispute, someone asked President Lincoln, “Is God on the side of the North or the South.” Lincoln paused and responded thoughtfully, The question is not, “Is God on my side?” The real question is, “Am I on God’s side.” If we find ourselves far from God, who moved?
When we, like the prodigal son, “come to ourselves,” then we can turn around, leave the pig pen of this world, and to return to our Father. When we realize that “in my flesh dwelleth no good thing,” when we come to the end of ourselves and realize we are “poor in spirt,” destitute, deprived and depraved, then we can do an about-face to return to the Lord.
The standard of the world requires that we fall in line motivated by fear of punishment and condemnation. Their standard for conformance is a works-based, fear-based and rules-based coercion system of behavior modification to squeeze us into the world’s mold. Their approval is based on performance. In the world’s system, good enough is never good enough. Everyone has failed to perform. The consequences of the sin nature we inherited from Adam is that the wages of sin is death.
A true Christian has confessed Jesus is Lord. In mourning over the sin that has separated their hearts from God’s heart, true believers turn from the god of self to serve the Lord Jesus Christ from a heart of love.
Many will say, didn’t we call you Lord? However, no one can really say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. His spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are sons of God. Unless we are born again of His Holy Spirit, we cannot approach our holy Heavenly Father. Only from the heart of Christ In us, having been born again of his spirit, can we approach our Father’s throne of grace to praise his holy name.
Pete recalls that Author Blessitt during the late 60’s was invited to preach the annual revival at his traditional Southern Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Blessitt was known for preaching to the hippies at the towns and cities where he stopped as he carried a cross through America. The first night of the revival Blessit said, there are thousands who come to the great stadiums to cheer for their favorite team. We’re on Jesus’ team so let’s cheer for Jesus… Give me a “J”, give me an “E”, ….
After the fired up sermon, there was a meeting of the Sanhedrin at Pete’s church. They said to Arthur, “How can you desecrate this church by leading a cheer like that? You’re not allowed to lead another cheer inside this church ever again.” The next sermon, Blessit said, I’ve been told not to lead a cheer for Jesus inside this church. Then he said, follow me outside the church. Then he lead another cheer, Give me a “J”. Give me an “E,” Give me an “S,” Give me a “U,” Give me an “S”. What’s that spell? The hippies shouted enthusiastically… “JESUS!!!”
After Blessitt’s second inspired sermon, there was another meeting of the Sanhedrin. That was the last time Blessitt spoke at Pete’s church. That was also the last time their head pastor attended that church because he had invited Blessitt to preach. In retrospect, It was also the last time the Holy Spirit filled the sanctuary. In essence Jesus had said to the congregation, depart from me ye workers of iniquity, I never knew you.
Jesus said, examine yourselves to see where your allegiance lies, whose kingdom you serve. As Joshua said after he had led the Children of Israel into the Promised Land, “choose ye this day whom ye shall serve. As for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord.” Romans 6 says Ye are slaves of whom ye obey. You are either servants of sin unto death or servants of righteousness through Christ unto life everlasting.
According to Ephesians 2:8-9, For by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God… not of works lest any man should boast. For we are God’s workmanship…. His work of art, his magnum opus, his poetry in motion, created in Christ Jesus unto good works (works that are loving, beautiful, well pleasing and acceptable unto God) which he has prepared in advance that we should walk in them.
It’s not by works of righteousness but by his grace alone. We love him not because of who we are but because of who He is. God is love and in him is no darkness at all. He loved us before we could love him…. He was the prime mover for even when we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly. We were called with a divine appointment not because of our own righteousness, but because of Christ’s righteousness…. For Jesus Christ who was without sin was made the perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in him.
Jesus Christ is a gentleman. He doesn’t break down the door to our hearts. Jesus said, behold I stand at the door and knock. Any man who opens the door and invites me in, I will enter into the house of his in-most being, and I shall eat with him and he with me. We will together share in the fellowship of the spirit of the living God.
…. That we may ever live to the praise of the glory of God’s grace.
Your brother in Christ,
Michael
