CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES

Know “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32

The“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

Truth “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4

This Month's Theme: 

“The Lord's Side!”

Matthew 12:30 “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.”

A powerful statement! These are the words of the Lord pronounced upon the religious leaders of the Jews. The Pharisees were a religious sect of the Jews, also known as the ‘separate ones'. They were so called, as they wore different clothing to stand out from among the rest of the Jews (to be recognized). They studied and taught the Law of Moses diligently; yet, hypocritically.

Matthew 23:1-3 “Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.”

In the context of the opening passage of scripture, the Pharisees have been engaged in attacks on Jesus. They did not see Him as the Messiah of prophecy, they rejected His miracles, and denied the power by which they were performed. Jesus was a threat to their leadership and their dream of an earthly kingdom in which they would be rulers.

In the context of Matthew 12:22-30, Jesus has healed a blind mute who is now able to speak and see (the miracles of Jesus and His Apostles were immediate and verifiable as authentic by the overwhelming response of eye witnesses). This caused the crowds to surmise that Jesus could be the Son of David (a Messianic term that finds its origins in the prophecies of 2 Samuel 7:12-13).

The crowd's response caused the Pharisees to be envious and fearful that they might lose their control and power. Since they could not invalidate the miracle or the obvious power behind it, they tried to debase the source.

Matthew 12:24 “Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, "This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons."

As the Lord knew their thoughts (Vs. 24), He used their own hypocrisy and inconsistency against them. In doing so they have to either acknowledge their own error, or to admit that He is the Messiah and the kingdom of heaven is upon them (at hand).

This is an interesting scriptural tidbit!

The point to consider finds itself in the world today. Untold religions, created by men who walk in their own ways and desire to have God serve them. In addition, there are those who would try to destroy the very mention of God in the world and seek their own way. In many ways it is extremely similar to the world Jesus came into. The Jews of Jesus' time were fragmented into many groups and followed as many different doctrines (Matthew 15:9; Romans 10:3). The Gentiles were about their own way; immoral, idolatrous, and worldly (Romans 1:18-32).

The lesson then and the lesson now are about choice! There can be only one of two choices, and no neutrality!

The element of choice is virtually synonymous with the Bible story. The quality of choice as a condition of human life is inherent in the scriptures. The Bible opens with a tragic story of choice and the initial fall of man in the Garden. Pursuant to this fall, the rules for man have remained the same. People still have the capacity to choose for or against God and between good and evil.

In the Gospels of the New Testament, Jesus Himself, as well as His claims, becomes the focus of implied choice. Repeatedly, just as in our opening text, His claims to be the Messiah are challenged or accepted. Some turn away from Him sorrowful, others embrace His message, others believe but choose not to act, and finally like the Pharisees; others reject Him completely. In any case, the choice leads down two separate and specific roads; the Lord's side, or of His opponent for the souls of men, Satan's side.

•  Satan's Side.

If for any reason you choose not to serve the Lord according to His will, you have chosen Satan's path.

•  The Lord's Side.

John 6:44-45 “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.”

Romans 10:17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of 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, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Acts 4:12 “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 8:36 -37 “Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" 37 Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

Romans 6:17-18 “But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”

Galatians 5:22-25 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

1 John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.”

What is the expectation that comes from choosing the Lord's side? The truth of His word will abide in you!

1 John 2:24-29 “Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that He has promised us--eternal life. 26 These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. 27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. 28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.”

Truth is absolute and unchangeable. God's word is truth and can save men from themselves. The early disciples were Christians ‘only'. Although we live 2000 years later, we too can be just Christians; by adhering to the God's word ‘only'. Just as surely as a planted acorn only produces and oak tree; so God's word will produce Christians and nothing more!

Choose the Lord's Side!

Be Just A Christian!