Bible League: Living His Word "Whoever is not with me is against me. And anyone who does not work with me is working against me."There is a certain kind of person that wants to avoid conflict at all cost. Whenever a conflict arises, they refuse to take sides. They always seek the middle ground. They always seek neutral territory. Perhaps this strategy is helpful in many situations, but there is one conflict for which it is completely wrong. When it comes to the spiritual conflict between the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and the kingdom of Satan, there is no middle ground, there is no neutral zone. A choice must and will be made between the two spiritual alternatives – the only spiritual alternatives that there are. On the one hand, if you're with Jesus, if you've chosen Jesus Christ and His Kingdom, then you should follow Him and work with Him. You should do your part to advance and enhance His Kingdom. This means you should do your part to spread the gospel of the Kingdom, whatever that part may be, great or small, and you should live the life required in the Kingdom by the grace God has given you. If, on the other hand, you're not with Jesus, if you haven't chosen Jesus Christ and His Kingdom, then you're not working with Him. You've chosen Satan and his kingdom and you're doing your part to undermine Jesus' Kingdom. You're doing your part to spread the kingdom of Satan and you're living the life of his kingdom. Some may object to this. Some may regard this as a false dichotomy. They may say that just because they haven't sided with Jesus doesn't mean they've sided with Satan. They may say that there are other alternatives. From Jesus' point of view, however, they are completely mistaken. From Jesus' point of view, if you're not with Him, then you're against Him. There is no false dichotomy because there are no other alternatives. It is for this reason that Jesus could say, "If you don't stay joined to me, you will be like a branch that has been thrown out and has dried up. All the dead branches like that are gathered up, thrown into the fire and burned" (John 15:6). It you don't want to be on Satan's side, if you don't want what that entails, then your only option is to side with Jesus. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingEzekiel 34, 35 Ezekiel 34 -- Reproof of the Shepherds of Israel; Restoration NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Ezekiel 35 -- The Judgment of Mount Seir for Their Hatred of Israel NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 1 Peter 2 1 Peter 2 -- Put away Wickedness; You Are Like Living Stones; Submit to Authority; Follow Christ's Example NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted.Insight Some people see good all around them, while others see nothing but evil. What is the difference? Our souls become filters through which we perceive goodness or evil. The pure (those who have Christ in control of their lives) learn to see goodness and purity even in this evil world. But corrupt and unbelieving people find evil in everything because their evil minds and hearts color even the good they see and hear. Challenge Whatever you choose to fill your mind with will affect the way you think and act. Turn your thoughts to God and his Word, and you will discover more and more goodness, even in this evil world. A mind filled with good has little room for what is evil. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Luke 4:18 To preach deliverance to the captives.None but Jesus can give deliverance to captives. Real liberty cometh from him only. It is a liberty righteously bestowed; for the Son, who is Heir of all things, has a right to make men free. The saints honor the justice of God, which now secures their salvation. It is a liberty which has been dearly purchased. Christ speaks it by his power, but he bought it by his blood. He makes thee free, but it is by his own bonds. Thou goest clear, because he bare thy burden for thee: thou art set at liberty, because he has suffered in thy stead. But, though dearly purchased, he freely gives it. Jesus asks nothing of us as a preparation for this liberty. He finds us sitting in sackcloth and ashes, and bids us put on the beautiful array of freedom; he saves us just as we are, and all without our help or merit. When Jesus sets free, the liberty is perpetually entailed; no chains can bind again. Let the Master say to me, "Captive, I have delivered thee," and it is done forever. Satan may plot to enslave us, but if the Lord be on our side, whom shall we fear? The world, with its temptations, may seek to ensnare us, but mightier is he who is for us than all they who be against us. The machinations of our own deceitful hearts may harass and annoy us, but he who hath begun the good work in us will carry it on and perfect it to the end. The foes of God and the enemies of man may gather their hosts together, and come with concentrated fury against us, but if God acquitteth, who is he that condemneth? Not more free is the eagle which mounts to his rocky eyrie, and afterwards outsoars the clouds, than the soul which Christ hath delivered. If we are no more under the law, but free from its curse, let our liberty be practically exhibited in our serving God with gratitude and delight. "I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds." "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" Daily Light on the Daily Path Romans 6:18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. Romans 6:20-22 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. • Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. • But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. John 12:26 "If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. Matthew 11:29,30 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. • "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Isaiah 26:13 O LORD our God, other masters besides You have ruled us; But through You alone we confess Your name. Psalm 119:32 I shall run the way of Your commandments, For You will enlarge my heart. He. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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