Whom Do You Serve?
When the Lord Jesus made this rebuke of the Pharisees' love of money, He was actually teaching a greater lesson. Although through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, we were bought with a price and are not our own, (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) we are still given the choice to follow Jesus by living in accordance to the word of God, or Satan by living by the ways of the world. There is no middle ground to occupy here--either serve God or by default, serve the devil. Are you serving as co-laborers together with God by allowing the Spirit of God to direct your paths so that through you, Christ can be revealed to the world? Or are you living a life in the kingdom of self? Is your life all about Him, or all about you--with a little of Him on Sundays?
Many people--even Christians do not like to speak about or live in concrete terms of black and white, right and wrong, serving God or serving the prince of this world. The Bible says: either you are a child of God or you are a child of the devil (Ephesians 2:1-10). The world is confused and deceived when it comes to understanding the difference because the devil has blinded their eyes. Born again Christians, however, should know the difference. We should separate ourselves from the world in order to reveal Christ to the world (2 Corinthians 6:17).
During the ministry of Jesus, there were many within the Jewish community that believed in Jesus, but when the time came to confess and follow Him, they refused because they feared being put out the synagogue. For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. [John 12: 42-43] Many Christians today are refusing to walk in the anointing the Lord Jesus has given us by the Holy Spirit. For the most part this is due to fear of ridicule and mockery of men. Being a Christian and preaching and standing on God's word is not politically correct, but Jesus wasn't politically correct in His day either. Our commission isn't to judge or become activists for worthy causes--our commission is to be witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus Christ by doing the works of God (preaching, teaching, and healing). Unfortunately, doing the works of God tends to ruffle a few feathers. Despite any persecution we may receive as a result, know that our rewards from God are greater than any persecution from man.
When we pursue and esteem what man has given glory in lieu of setting our sights above where Christ sits at the right hand of the Father, we are choosing what disgusts God. As I said before, there is no middle ground here. The Lord sternly warns those who think they can be "on the fence" where the Lord is concerned: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I would you were cold or hot. So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth. [Revelation 3: 15-16]
As Christians and the Lord's ambassadors on earth, we cannot believe one thing, but live another. We cannot say we're Christians and live like the devil. We cannot hate our brother and say we love God. We have been given a choice: be sheep or be goats, wheat or tares, followers or the pursued, redeemed or condemned. There were only two thieves on each side of the cross--one who cursed Jesus, and the other who confessed and worshipped Him. There wasn't a third who took the middle road. What side of the cross are you on?
Prayer: Dear Father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus, please ignite a spiritual fire in my heart so I can, with all boldness, stand on and live according to your word. Anoint me with the Holy Spirit to do what Jesus did. I choose to be hot and serve You will all my heart, despite what man may do or say. I want to hear you say these words: "Well done, good and faithful servant." Amen.
