Whose Side Are You On?

Have we taken a stand on what we believe, or do we change our minds depending on who we are hanging with?

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Every day we have to decide what we are viewing, what we are reading, and where it will lead to? These two roads pictured may seem like they are going in the same direction, but right up ahead they will both take drastic turns, in the opposite direction. At first, it may seem parallel, but a distinction will soon be seen. The question will be, is this truth or error? Is this right or wrong?
Paul was reminding the Corinthian church about the gospel that he preached that the folks have taken a stand on.
Have we taken a stand on what we believe, or do we change our minds depending on who we are hanging with?
  • Don’t be influenced; be the influencer.
There was a discussion happening in the church about what they believed. Paul was saying, “By the gospel, you are saved.” (1 Corinthians 15: 2) That is truth.
Here’s what his next point was: First importance, Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that He was raised on the third day, according to the scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter then to the twelve.” (1 Corinthians 15: 3-5) Actually, after that, he appeared to more than five hundred.
He adds, If Jesus wasn’t raised, then our preaching is useless and so is our faith. He was challenging them in what they trusted in as truth. That’s probably why he kept saying according to the scriptures.
Are you standing on this truth? “Do not be mislead, “Bad company corrupts good character. Come back to your senses.” (1 Corinthians 15: 33)
How do we avoid being misled? Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.” (Proverbs 22: 24-24)
The folks we see on the news, all the violence going on, are folks who have been ensnared. Someone ensnared, is caught in a trap, is captured, and entangled.
  • Choose the right side. (Taken from 1 Corinthians 15: 1-34 Paraphrased & Modified)
Micah, the prophet, wants people to choose the Lord. He says, “Hear, O peoples, all of you, listen, O earth, and all who are in it, that the Sovereign Lord may witness against you, the Lord from His holy temple.” (Micah 1: 2)
  • One day, God will call people and nations to give an account.
Micah continues in his word, Look! The Lord is coming from His dwelling place.” (Micah 1: 3)
In devastation and desperation, we ask, why doesn’t God intervene now? “This is what the Lord says to me: “I will remain quiet and will look on from my dwelling place, like shimmering heat in the sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest. But before the harvest, when the blossom is gone and the flower becomes a ripening grape, he will cut off the shoots with pruning knives, and cut down and take away the spreading branches.” (Isaiah 18: 4-5) (Taken from Micah 1, Paraphrased & Modified)
Jehu is about to bring destruction. He writes a letter to Samaria to the seventy sons of the house of Ahab, telling them to,Fight for your Master’s house.” (2 Kings 10: 3)
He is bluffing a military confrontation by wanting them to submit to him. He wanted them to attack and fight, but they were intimidated by his challenge, so they sent word to Jehu, after reading the letters, saying, We are your servants and we will do anything you say. We will not appoint anyone as king, you do whatever you think is best.” (2 Kings 10: 5)
Here’s the hook. Jehu says, “If you are on my side and obey me (see the control), take the heads of your Master’s sons and come to me.” (2 Kings 10: 6, emphasis added)
All seventy of the royal priests were slaughtered by Jehu. He killed everyone in the house of Ahab, including his chief men, close friends, his priests, leaving no survivors.
His next group of killing spree victims, was when he went to the prophets of Baal. He deceptively called an assembly bringing all the false prophets together to destroy them. He even prepares the sacrifice, before he orders his guards and officers to go in and slay them.
  • Know whose side you are on.
Jehu was the Lord’s instrument to bring judgment to the house of Ahab. However, the prophet Hosea later condemned him for killing all of Ahab’s associates, as well as Ahaziah of Judah and the forty-two Judshite princes.  Yet, Jehu was not careful to keep the law of the Lord, the God Israel, with ALL of his heart.
The footnote said something very interesting: “He seems to have been driven more by a political desire to secure his own position on the throne in the northern kingdom, than by a desire to serve the Lord.”
The Lord knows which side we are on. The question is, do we?
  • Serving the Lord with ALL of our heart keeps us one-sided, not lopsided.
  • When something is lopsided, it tips over and falls.

 

(Taken from 2 Kings 10, Paraphrase & Modified)
Featured Image by Nagy Szabi on Unsplash
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About the Author

Mary Beth Pecora, a faithful wife, mother, grandmother, friend, worshiper and servant leader, who loves life and loves people. More importantly, she passionately loves God and the fullness of who He is! For twenty-three years she has served in leadership positions within the ministry of Aglow International. Currently, she and her husband serve at The Secret Place--A Psalm 91 Ministry. It's a place for individual folks to come, be exhorted and prayed for, while being ushered to ministry stations within the room. They continue to serve monthly in the Prayer Room at their home church that they have been a part of for almost forty years. In April of 2022 they both received their Ministry License and were Ordained in May of 2023. She delights in encouraging folks of all ages within various walks of life. Her love of writing is now her passion, which led her to publish two books, "Restoration Explosion In The New Year," and "Navigating The Mysteries Of God." Above all that’s been accomplished and concluded, the BEST thing to her is knowing her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is her everything—her very best friend. Visit: Mybelovedsvoice.com