Followers Are Not Neutral
Grady Henley
Lesson 04 of the Follow Me Series
Key Verses:
1 Tim 3:14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
1 Tim 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
INTRODUCTION:
Sometimes we believe there is no harm in taking a neutral stand. While such may be true in some cases, such is not so when it comes to the work and will of the Lord. It is a wise person that knows when to stand and when to remain neutral.
During the times of the judges in the history of the nation of Israel, there were two cities that thought they could remain neutral and their neutrality would not cost them. In reality what these two cities tried to do was play both ends against the middle so that they could win regardless of the outcome of the conflict.
Gideon made it known to these two cities that a neutral stand costs. Soldiers passed their gates; some were the chasers and some the chasees. Regardless, these two cities decided that it would be best if they missed this particular foray.
These two cities were not nameless. One was the city of Succoth and the other was Penuel. Holman’s Bible Dictionary describes these as:
1. Succoth (sewk’ kohth) 1. A place name meaning, “booths.” A city east of the Jordan in the tribal territory of Gad. Jacob dwelt there upon his return to Canaan (Gen. 33:17). It was an important town during the time of Gideon.
2. Penuel Pih new’ ehl) Name meaning, “face of God.” 1. Descendant of Judah and founder (father) of Gedor (1 Chron. 4:4). This is the site on River Jabbok northeast of Succoth where Jacob wrestled with the stranger (Gen. 32:24-32; compare Hos. 12:4). The city was destroyed by Gideon
These two cities, though they tried t remain neutral, found out that what they actually did was align themselves with two kings named ZEBAH and Zalmunna. These were kings of Midian during the days of Gideon. Gideon pursued after these kings and captured them. Because they killed Gideon’s brothers, Gideon did likewise to them, Judg. 8:4-21, Ps. 83:11, Isa. 9:4, 10:26.
This account shows the act of blood revenge that often prevailed in that day and marks a turning point in Israel’s struggles against Midian.
Zebah, pronounced Zee’ bu, is a personal name meaning “slaughter” or “sacrifice.”
Zalmunna (Zal muhn’ nuh) Personal name meaning, “Protection is withdrawn” or “Zelem (god) rules.”
Key Learning:
There is no neutral stand, Luke 11:23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
I. NEUTRAL.
Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines neutral as: 1. Not engaged on either side; not taking an active part with either of contending parties. The definition of the word is much easier to understand than the position the person takes. The same is true for a country that tries to remain neutral in a conflict.
During the last global conflict, Switzerland was a neutral country in that none or her soldiers took up arms against the Allies or the Axis. Regardless of the stance the country’s politicians adopted, the nation was impacted by the war.
A. The Battle, Judges 8.
Gideon started his military campaign with about 32,000 soldiers, Judges 7:3. After the first cut, 10,000 remained. After the second cut, 300 men followed a young reluctant military leader into a battle one night, Judges 7:7, 19.
If there was every an army going into battle where faith was their armour, it is the army commanded by Gideon. Their foes were so many and their encampment so thick that the bible describes their goings and comings as grasshoppers, Judg 7:12 And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.
Is it recorded in the history of warfare were 301 men defeated an army the size of this one? If there was ever a time to sue for peace, these small army of 301 dedicated soldieries missed their opportunity. Instead, they won a great battle, for the Lord fought for them.
That night when the battle cry sounded, the Lord caused the enemy to fall into a melee and in their confusion, they killed each other. Those that did not die in the fight, took flight. Gideon’s small army did not do much fighting that night. Thus, after the battle was over, 300 men are still with Gideon, Judges 8:4.
B. Gideon Pursued The Midianites, v. 4-32.
Once fight gave way to flight, those of the invading Midian army that did not fall in the battle, made a hasty retreat. Many commanders would have allowed the foe to continue to run and considered the battle a success with the enemy taking flight in panic. Gideon was wise enough to know that the job was not complete just because the enemy fled.
1. Finish the job.
Gideon may have been reluctant to lead. However, once he took the job, his aim was to finish the work entrusted unto him. He knew that in order for the land to enjoy her rest, the enemy must be destroyed. He was not content to let them escape, regroup, and do a counter-attack.
He wanted to get them now. This would eliminate having to fight them later.
Gideon knew that his country was not united. He also was well aware of the conditions he had endured for the past seven years under this enemy. Though this enemy was retreating tonight, he would be back. If not tomorrow, next month or next year in greater strength and organization than tonight. Finish the job at hand.
2. Give no ground.
In our struggles against unnumbered foes, we have the ability to fight a good fight. Our spirit unites with the Holy Spirit and by the power of the Spirit and the word of God, Satan takes flight. Often, the battle is fierce. We may even receive a wound or two, but in the end, Satan flees.
Our failure happens, not so much in the fight, but because we do not finish the job. Instead of us destroying the ever-present enemy, our flesh, we are content to rest from the battle. What we ought to do is give that lust of the flesh to Lord, Rom 6:19, 7:1. Too many times we make provisions for the flesh, Rom 13:14, and allow Satan to sneak back and make a counterattack. He finds this easy to do, for we seldom consider ourselves dead to the world, but alive unto Christ.
Once we fail to slay the desires of the flesh, Satan regroups, and counterattacks. If we want to be successful, we need to ensure that Satan has no place to house his army. Finish the job.
II. THE NEUTRAL CITIES.
Gideon was not going to allow the enemy to regroup and attack again. He had the momentum needed to finish this job God assigned unto him. He had the promise of God, 7:9. All that was required of Gideon was finish the job. To do this, he needed some help and sought it from two cities.
By the time the enemy is in flight for life, Gideon and his army has been up all night. They are tense, tired, jubilant; battle weary, and hungry. When they reached Succoth, it is probably 3:00 AM. This is an estimated time based on the scripture that states he returned to teach them before the sun is up, Judg 8:13, (assuming that the actions recorded in ch. 8 took place on the same day). They made their attack in the middle watch of the previous night, about 10:00 PM and now they are exhausted.
A. Faint, Yet Pursuing, Judges 8:6.
The enemy is running from 301 determined men. Gideon and his small army chased the enemy to the Jordan River and passed over to the other side. They are now in the inheritance of the tribe of Gad. Gad was one of the two and one half tribes that opted to remain on the east side of the Jordan River and instead of going on into the Promised Land.
Observe the zeal of Gideon and his army:
1. Though greatly outnumbered the night before, they fought bravely.
2. Once the enemy took flight, Gideon and his army pursued.
3. The Jordan River would not deter them from achieving total victory. They swam the river or crossed by other means.
4. They are faint, that is, they are weary and hungry.
5. Regardless of their personal safety or satisfaction, they do not quit. There is, however, one thing that will prevent them from finishing the job and that is physical exhaustion.
They must have food to sustain their bodies. They thought they might be able to find some food in the town of Succoth.
Whether we are engaged in hand to hand combat or going about our daily tasks, the arm of the flesh needs nourishment. Gideon and his army are no exceptions. There is stress in battle and these have been engaged in conflict all night. Thus, the men are faint when they come to the princes of Succoth.
1. The rebuke at Succoth.
Coming to the men of the city of Succoth Gideon asked them for some loaves of bread. Surely these people of his own nation and tongue would give them comfort and food. After all, Gideon was fighting for them.
Though the men of Ephraim were constantly stirring up trouble for their brothers in Israel, one thing can be said in their favor this night and that is they did join in the fight, Jud 8:1.
The city at Succoth did not so much as take up arms when the remainder of the armies of the Midianites fled past their gates. The least this city could do was feed the army of Israel that liberated them. Instead of giving Gideon and him men some bread, the only thing they received was rebuke and mockery.
2. The rebuke at Penuel, Jud. 8:8.
Exiting the city of Succoth they made their way to Penuel, roughly four miles from Succoth, hoping some one would give them aid. Regardless of what they expected, they were turned down at Penuel as well.
Note that it can be well said here that Gideon was not side-tracked by these rebukes. He could have ceased pursuing the enemy and made these two cities pay for their insolence. Now was not the time and that was why he made a prophetic statement that he would come back and “teach them a thing or two.”
B. The Neutral Stand.
The cities of Succoth and Penuel are classic example of people trying to remain neutral. There are several things wrong in what they did. We will only go into detail over two issues.
1. Chose no side, but expect to come out on top.
People who think that by remaining neutral they will some how some way come out as winners are deceiving themselves. How can people who think as such be winners, when they did not fight to win? They chose no side, but yet they expect to come out on top. What these two cities wanted was for someone to give them something for nothing.
Gideon was basically giving them back their freedom and these two cities would not so much as even give them a loaf of bread. There were no kind words of encouragement. Mat 7:9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
2. Severe lack of faith on their part.
The second thing we note is these cities demonstrated a lack of faith in Gideon and God. Though we are not told so in the context, it is safe to say that these cities were aware that the battle did not go well for the Midianites. When the orderly retreat of an army turns into a rout, it is rather difficult to conceal the noise.
These cities offered to help Gideon once the enemy was captured. In speaking as such, they were afraid that if they helped Gideon and then should Gideon lose the war, the Midianites would come back and deal harshly with them. By refusing to give aid to Gideon they could always tell Zebah and Zalmunna that they took no side against them. Their actions are nothing more than playing both ends against the middle.
II. NEUTRALITY TODAY?
As we read of this injustice to Gideon and his army it causes us to think of this reluctant leader as the underdog. As such, we have compassion on him and his plight. As for these two cities, we can hardly wait to read the remainder of the story to find out how it ends.
There are times when we make a stand for the Lord and in so standing we have found that we stood alone. We thought our family and friends would stand with us, but for reasons known only to them and God they remained neutral.
A. Is There Not A Cause, 1 Sam 17:29?
Many hundreds of years ago a young lad stood on the sidelines of a battlefield and watched as his countrymen ran in fright from a giant. This young lad could not understand their actions. His question that day on the battlefield must be answered today: “Is there not a cause?” His brothers also rebuked him for his stand.
1. The cause of Christ Is Distinguished:
If there is a cause, then by all the holy Power that is within us, stand for it. Do not stand because. Stand for the cause of Christ and for what He offers.
a. For Its Divinity.
· It is the results of God's infinite love and skill, Romans 9:16.
· It is the production of God's almighty power, John 1:12-13.
· It is the effect of God's unreachable grace, Romans 5:8.
· It is the cause of God's eternal counsels, 2 Thessalonians 2:13.
b. Distinguished For It Righteousness:
· Originated by the righteous Jehovah, 2 Timothy 1:9.
· Procured by the righteous Christ, Hebrews 9:26.
· Applied by the righteous Holy Spirit, Titus 3:5.
c. Distinguished For It Benevolence:
· Presents a full remedy for all the ills of humanity.
· Elevates men from deepest debasement to highest dignity.
· Not only blesses men, but makes them a blessing unto others.
d. Distinguished For It Unity:
· Through presented in various dispensations, and under various names, there is still only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one church, one flock, one spiritual kingdom, one heaven, one book, etc.
2. God's cause is opposed.
· Cain opposed it in the days of Abel.
· Ante-Diluvians opposed it in the days of Noah.
· Jews opposed it in the days of Christ.
· Satan opposes it in all ages.
3. God's cause Depends Upon The Lord and not upon man for success.
· All human resources must of necessity fail.
· It requires Almighty Power to shield it, Ephesians 6:12-13.
· It requires Infinite Wisdom to direct it, Proverbs 20:24.
· It requires Infinite Resources to supply its needs, Zechariah 4:6.
4. Notwithstanding its dependence upon God --- Men must pray:
· Moses .....
· Abraham .....
· David .....
· Jesus .....
5. How God pleads His own cause.
a. By striking interpositions of His providence's:
· Israel in Egypt.
· Haman
· Nehemiah
· Daniel
· Peter
b. By Raising Up Useful Instruments.
· Moses ......
· Joshua .....
· Gideon .....
· Cyrus .....
· Paul .....
5. By Pouring out His Spirit --- Pentecost:
6. What Do Men Think of The Cause of Christ?
· Some Hate the Cause of Christ.
· If possible they would annihilate it.
b. Some care nothing about the cause of Christ.
· Concerned for their food --- raiment --- business --- families .....
· How thoughtless! --- How ungrateful?
b. Some Love the cause of Christ.
· The Speak of it and for it .....
· They pray for it .....
· The Live for it .....
7. The Cause For Which Christ Came Into The World Is:
· To save your soul from hell
· To give you peace and happiness.
· Will you stand for His cause?
(Thanks to Bro. Travis Case, pastor of Northgate Baptist Church for his outline of “Is There Not A Cause.” www.traviscase.org/Northgate/Homepage.html
2. The cause of His word.
Changes not
Brings a change to all who believes and practices what it teaches.
3. What would you give for the cause of Christ?
Paul was ready to give his life, Acts 21:13. Would you be willing to give a loaf of bread? Would you be willing to give of you most precious possession: your time? What would it take for you to relinquish your neutral stand and take up the cause of Christ? Would riches and wealth in an eternal city of gold where peace and love abound influence you to cast aside your fears? How about peace of mind, love, joy, and blessings?
B. The Cause vs. Neutrality
One of the main reasons why churches are not growing is because there are more people trying to remain neutral than there are standing for the cause of Christ. Those who try to remain neutral fail to comprehend the implication of the words of the Lord: “He that is not with me is against me.” The fact is, where the cause of Christ is concerned, there is no neutral stand.
1. Examination.
Have you considered your position? Are you hindering or helping? Are you winning souls, going out on visitation, praying for those who do when you are Providentially hindered?
Sad it is to say, but there are people in the local church body who do nothing. They do not fight the good fight of faith.
They do not give to support the church or any of its missions.
· They do not pray.
· They do not live a dedicated life.
· They are afraid of hurting someone’s feeling but have no qualms over hurting the Lord’s cause and hindering the Holy Spirit.
· For the most part these folks are obstacles.
· They are useless for the cause of Christ and God uses them less. save to be held up as a bad example of what one ought not do.
Christians who have taken their stand are refreshing springs of living water. Those who remain neutral are as stagnant water; water that is not moving. Water that is not a source of inspiration to the Eternal water of life can only produce water that is putrid. Once water becomes stagnant, germs, disease, and decay begins to breed within its boundaries.
Such is how it is with members in the body of Christ that do not stand for the Lord’s cause. They begin to get sickly and some even sin themselves into an early grave, Rom 6:16. If these are not motivated to stand for the cause of Christ, it will not be long until the entire church body has gone the way of Cain.
2. Maturity.
Those that are taking a stand for the cause of Christ are the Christians that have matured or they are in the process of doing such. These are the backbone of the church and ensure that the work will continue into the next generation.
III. HE TAUGHT THEM, v. 16.
Upon receiving no help from these two cities, Gideon promised that when he returned from the chase, he would deal with them. Note that Gideon did not allow the conscientious objectors to detract him from his purpose. He stayed the course, and maintained the cause until he finished the task. Upon achieving his objectives he then came back and begin to teach the men of Succoth and Penuel a thing or two.
A. His Method Of Teaching
There are two ways of teaching: the easy way and the hard way. It is a wise soul that learns the easy way. Those that learn the hard way do not readily forget what they learned.
1. Put yourself in Gideon’s shoes.
Arriving back at Succoth before the sun was up, v. 13, Gideon found a young man and talked him into revealing what the elders of the city of Succoth looked like. Gideon went for the leaders for they were the responsible ones for setting the direction of the city. These leaders would also be the same ones that would deal harshly with the other citizens of the city if any of them had given aid to Gideon.
Now, put yourself in Gideon’s place. Walk a mile in his shoes. Think about this and determine your actions:
1. You have been up all night.
2. Part of the night you were fighting.
3. Part of the night you were pursuing.
4. The entire night you were hungry.
5. Your blood kin turned down your request for food.
6. You have 300 brave men that look to you for leadership and respect and yet you cannot get one loaf of bread from two cities.
7. Your men are weary, v. 15.
8. These elders upbraided you. Upbraided, according to Webster’s 1828 dictionary means: 1. To charge with something wrong or disgraceful; to reproach; to cast in the teeth; followed by with or for, before the thing imputed; as, to upbraid a man for his folly or his intemperance. They laughed him to scorn.
9. Now these same people that upbraided you and refused to give you bread, will now enjoy the fruits of your labor.
2. Seventy seven elders learned a hard lesson, Judg. 8:14.
What did Gideon do? He made good his word and he taught the 77 elders of Succoth a thing or two. (Have you ever heard some say, “I am going to teach you a thing or two!”)
Note that his method of teaching was to bring blood, Pro. 20:30, Ps.89:26. Gideon took thorns and briars from the wilderness and he brought blood. To put it plainly, Gideon beat the devil out of the men of Succoth and the end results was they learned that to take the middle road and do nothing was more painful than getting hurt for taking a stand.
3. The men of Penuel.
After he finished his class on the evils of neutrality at Succoth, he then moved over to Penuel. It seems from the context that the men of Penuel were dealt with much more severely than those at Succoth. Perhaps the men of Penuel were younger as those at Succoth were said to be elders.
The city of Penuel had a tower. Though the bible does not say much about this tower, we know that towers represent strength and safety. Perhaps these men of the city believed they would be safe in their tower.
One must wonder why this city even had a tower. They did not fight against Midian. They did not fight with Gideon. They did not give him bread. Why the tower? If you are a neutral city and refuse to take arms against either side, why not just open the gates of the city and do away with your tower.
This seems to be the point in Gideon beating it down. The tower represented something that the men of the city lacked. As such it was an unbalanced testimony for their talk did not match their witness of strength. Thus, Gideon beat it down and slew the men of the city.
4. He came in peace.
Gideon did all of this to these two cities when he came in peace, Judges 8:9. Imagine the destruction should he act in wrath and righteous judgment!
Imagine the destruction when the Lord returns on the day of Judgment? Those individuals and the churches that took a neutral stand will one day face a man on a white horse with one thing on His heart and mind: righteous judgment. He is not coming in peace on that day. There will not be peace until He sets the record straight and folks are taught a thing or two about their neutral stand.
B. Why Not Take A Stand?
As parents we need to teach our children the importance of taking a stand for the things of God. As leaders within the local church body, we ought to take a stand.
Our church steeples reach high (like a tower) and when people see a steeple it ought to be a sign for something. Steeples mean this is a house of God. As a house of God, folks ought to know what God stand for and the church should stand for the things of God. God is not neutral.
1. Pay the price.
Because these two cities did not take their stand, it cost some in the city their lives. Some of the elders lived the rest of their lives picking thorns from their flesh. Each day they looked at those scars it reminded them of the price they paid for refusing to take a stand.
2. Some still pay the price.
Many today refuse to help in the work of the Lord. If we know and live what is in the bible, we can instruct them and even assist them in doing the work of the Lord. However, we can only do this when the people have two minds. This is one of the times when it is OK to be double minded. What are the two minds people must have?
1. A mind to work, Neh 4:6.
2. The mind of Christ, Phil 2:5.
That is, they must not be lazy and any praise due is due to the Lord Jesus Christ and not unto self, Isa 42:8, Ezek. 36:22.
3. How do we teach them?
Remember that there are two ways to learn: the easy way and the hard way. If we are wise we will learn from reading God’s word and applying it in situation as they arise in our lives.
The hard way to learn is to force God to use thorns and briars. Just because someone does not tithe is no reason to give them 40 lashes with a cat-of-nine-tails. However, if their heart is cold and rebellious, and if they want to continue to be out of their right mind by resisting the Holy Spirit, God may use the thorns and briars of affliction to get their attention.
Each of us ought to endeavor to take our stand and there by we may avoid someone dragging us through the thorns of life just so we can learn a lesson the hard way. If we are wise we will not force God to teach us a thing or two the hard way.
C. Gideon Was Determined.
Even though his fellow countrymen did not offer him any help, praise, provisions, or prayer, Gideon was not calling it quits. Even though he was reluctant to lead, once he started he was very good at it.
1. Do not forsake your stand. .
Each born again child of God should make that song “I’m Not Giving Up” their motto. Each one of us should be as Gideon and be determined that we will finish the course laid out before us. Gideon and Paul can say, “I have finished my course.”
2. Turned back?
Many forms of opposition come today for those who will serve the Lord. Are we zealous for the task assigned to others? Are we ready to turn back, Luke 10:40-42? Did our feelings get hurt because no one paid any attention to the work we were doing? Have we been left alone, carrying out the cause in some forgotten room of the church?
In Acts 15:36-40 we find the story of Paul and Barnabas setting out on a journey. There are strong contentions between them over just who will accompany them on this mission. Why was it so? Because the one in question, John Mark, had left the work when the going got tough. Paul did not want to keep company with a quitter.
Not only had John Mark forsaken the apostle Paul, another guy loved this present world more and deserted the cause, 2 Tim 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
It is easy to get side-tracked and turn back from doing the work and will of the Lord. It is much easier to take that neutral stand and say someone else will do it. It is hard to do as did Gideon. Never-the-less, the rewards are great!
Illustration:
“That’s Not My Job”
This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody, when Nobody did, what Anybody could have done.
3. What is my stand? Where is my cause?
Each of us must examine self and see just where we are in the battle. Are we pursuing the enemy? Are we making provision for him to return? Have we deserted the cause of Christ for the lust of the world? What are we determined to do for the cause of Christ?
The same God that promised to deliver Midian into the hand of Gideon told us the battle was already won, Rom. 8:35-39. Often we get so busy watching what the other soldiers for the Lord are doing that the position we were commanded to hold fast unto has fallen into enemy hands.
ILLUSTRATION:
Larry Lilly’s Monday Letter
In his book, The Song of the Bird, Anthony DeMello tells the following story that many Christians would be wise to think through. It’s very easy to second guess and criticize the brother who blows it in the arena. It’s another to do the right thing when you are the one facing the lion: “When Nikita Khrushchev pronounced his famous denunciation of Stalin, someone in the Congress Hall is reported to have said, “Where were you, Comrade Khrushchev, when all those innocent people were being slaughtered?”
Khrushchev paused, looked around the hall, and said, “Will the man who said that kindly stand up”?
Tension mounted in the hall. No one moved.
Then Khrushchev said, “Well, whoever you are, you have your answer now. I was in exactly the same place then as you are now”’.
Please understand, I’m all for courage and for standing for what’s right and who’s right even to the point of death. I’m also in favor of those couch quarterbacks who have never looked down the barrel of the large gun of persecution to cut the brothers who have and are, a little slack.
When we feel the compulsion to reveal the weakness of a brother who has wavered under the fire of the fear of loss, be it life, prestige or any number of loss related fears, pause for a moment and remember the account of the disciples who “all forsook Him and fled.” Can we really forget that when Jesus appeared to the disciples on the first resurrection eve they were assembled “for fear of the Jews”.
I have watched from afar as our brothers and sisters in Sudan and the Congo are slaughtered rather than renounce Jesus and embrace a version of Islam. The stories coming out of Africa are heart rending to say the least. I’m sure all true Christians pray for the same kind of faith and courage if the “time” comes.
My point is simply: “If you can’t stand for the Lord in the mundane times of life, how will you possibly stand when the going really gets tough”?
Have you ever missed an opportunity to say a word for the Lord? Have you walked away from the chance to speak up? To stand up to a “bully” and then fight off self loathing because you were afraid? How many times do we listen to the most outrageous gossip and keep our mouth shut because of fear of ridicule? Or perhaps it’s the boss and we could lose our job or at the least be prevented from any future advance?
Most of us, if we are honest about it, would like to call back certain incidents and have a chance to face them with more courage. This is good. Through our failures of courage, we learn the enormous value of being true to our core values.
In the story of the steward who buried his talent in the earth and sought mercy through his basic human defense, “I was afraid” the Lord teaches us how utterly important it is to overcome our fear in spite of what we may lose as a result.
Khrushchev and the silent man in the Hall of Congress demonstrate the humanness of us all. At some time in our life we fail to be stalwart, we fail to stand up and be counted. We slither away on bellies greased with fear. We face our self and promise that we will somehow find the courage to do better next time.
We revere the disciples and men like Bonhoeffer who stood up to Hitler, because down deep in our heart we wish to be like them. Only those who like Khrushchev and others who have known the inner torment of being quiet, out of fear, can really understand how it demeans us as humans.
I urge you to ask the Lord to forgive you for weakness in the area of courage and also for Jesus to give you what He gave the disciples; the power of the Holy Spirit. It is through the Spirit of God that we are enabled to be Martyrs for Christ. Understand that admitting fear is a great way to start overcoming disabling fear. The Lord told Joshua not to be “dismayed” meaning to be rendered disabled through fear. I must close, so I ask you, “What do you fear? Whom do you fear? Why?Larry Lilly, let today count.
SUMMARY:
The call has gone out from the mouth of the Lord: Who will stand in the gap, Ezek 22:30, between the righteous judgment of the Lord and the sinner doomed for hell? Who will tell that sinner that Jesus loves them and that one day they must give an account for their sins?
Who will stand in the gap and tell those there is only two sides, good and evil, and each must decide which side they will be on, Exo 32:26 Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD'S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.
The plea went forth from the throne of God for someone to go and tell the nation that judgment was coming. Isaiah answered the call, Isa 6:8. He made his stand for the cause of God.
Captain Joshua told the people of Israel one day: Josh 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Choose you this day whom you will serve. Tomorrow when situations arise you will have to choose again.
A call was heard one night in a vision, “Come over here and help us, Acts 16:9. Paul and Silas answered the call. They did not know what this man looked like, or where he lived. Upon arriving in Macedonia one of the first things that happened to them was they are beaten and thrown in prison. They made their stand. Even in prison and nowhere near finding the man that needed help, they stood fast. There was nothing neutral about Paul and Silas. The man they were looking for was probably the jailer, Acts 16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Yet, some folks are afraid to stand for the cause of Christ and hide under a cloak of neutrality. Little do they realize the company they will keep for forever and ever, Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Christians today try to remain neutral while the battle rages all around them. Their reasons are as diverse as their numbers. How can any one claim to be Christ-like and remain neutral is a mystery with the answer known only to them. Never mind that they were quite willing to hurt and hinder people doing the work. True are the words of the Lord: Luke 11:23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. There is no neutral stand. Will you be one that will forsake the evil ways of neutrality and take up the cause of Christ?
