When Mike and I get in the car to go out to eat it goes like this:
Mike: Where do you want to go, Jill? Jill: I don't care.
Mike: I hate when you say that. Just say somewhere.
(I name somewhere.)
Mike: No, I am not in the mood for that. Just name somewhere.
Jill: I don't care.
So we sit in the driveway til we can decide in which direction to drive. When you sit on the fence you are going nowhere! It is easy for me to sit on the fence about going out to eat. I truly don't care - if I did I would speak up. But with important issues I think you should take a stand.
James 1: 8, "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. You cannot hold on to God and the world at the same time." A double-minded person is drawn into two different directions - one towards God and one towards the world. God says if you are not with him completely, then you are against him. You cannot sit on the fence when it comes to Jesus.
Some people think it is popular today to sit on the fence and be non-committal. Sitting on the fence is not a Godly characteristic. Jesus definitely spoke up! Matthew 12: 30, "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."
God gave us the Bible to guide us through this life. Apart from the Bible there is only so much we can learn about God. 2 Timothy 3: 16-17, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
God warns us not to misrepresent His Scripture. Proverbs 30, 5-6, " Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar." In a time when churches are wanting to disregard parts of the Bible and even the Old Testament we need to remember Revelation 22: 18-19. "God gives us a warning, 'For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.'" We are not to add or take away from God's Word!
In these times of criticism towards the Bible we need to be knowledgeable of God's Word. The Bible tells us in 1 Timothy 4: 16, "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." We must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Titus 2: 1, "You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine." To sit back and watch is sitting on the fence. If you are not standing for the real then you are standing for the ideal. Knowing what the Bible says firsthand and having some knowledge of the context is helpful in providing us a firm foundation in God's truth!
If you want to get off of the fence just jump! If you jump into God's Word you will have a soft and safe landing!
Comentários