CHOOSING SIDES

Then Moses stood in the entrance of the camp, and said, “Whoever is on the Lord’s side—come to me!” And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him. (Exodus 32:26 NKJV)

And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word. (1 Kings 18:21 NKJV)

Moses and Elijah uttered practically the same call, which is always being spoken to each fresh generation. As soon as we can think for ourselves, we are accosted by the challenge of the divine voice. Are you for Me or against Me? Which side do you take? From the lips of our blessed Lord comes the additional challenge, which compels us to face the alternative as one that may not be toyed with or put aside: "He that is not with Me is against Me."

How long does it take to decide between the two opinions? We must take one side or the other. A man must choose which he will take! If Jehovah, if Baal, we cannot be neutral without being confused.

Who, then, is prepared to take sides, and to come out to Christ, without the camp, bearing His reproach? (Hebrews 13:13). To be on the Lord's side is to acknowledge Him as our King as well as Savior. It is to render to Him our reverence, obedience, love and devotion. It is to abandon all desires and passions to do our own works and ways, and to strive for heart, mind, and life to be assimilated to His will and character. This is what our Savior expects and asks of each of us! We are to belong wholly to God, to give Him all that we are capable of giving, to choose His cause, and to find in Him the beginning and ending, the first and last.

Jesus Christ possesses an unimpeachable and absolute right over us. The right of Creator, "it is He that has made us, and not we ourselves"; the right of Benefactor, not only in the realm of temporal but of spiritual existence; the right of Redeemer, and this is the greatest claim of all.

Our decision demands declaration. Christ will not have His followers live in secret. In the days in which we live, when there are so many temptations to compromise between the disciples of Jesus and the temptations of the world, there is overwhelming reason why we should take His side. And in that great day, He will take our side and acknowledge us before His Father and the Holy Angels!

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, we acknowledge Your dominion over us; our life, our death, our soul and body, all belong to You. Grant that we may willingly consecrate them all to You, and use them in Your service. I pray in Jesus' name, AMEN.

God's Daily Promise

Promise #345:
I lavish My great love on My children.
 
1 John 3:1 (WEB)
Behold, how great a love the Father has bestowed on us,
that we should be called children of God!
For this cause the world doesn’t know us,
because it didn’t know him.