God’s Side

Read: Matthew 12:22-37

We often like to talk about whose side we are on when it comes to sports, politics, and world events.  How often do we consider our side when it comes to God vs. Other?  Back in 1984 then President Ronald Reagan said, “I’ve said that we must be cautious in claiming God is on our side. I think the real question we must answer is, are we on God’s side?”  Friends, this question is much more important than if you are a Cubs fan or a Cardinals fan.

In Matthew 12 Jesus heals a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute.  The people who witnessed this were amazed and astonished.  The Pharisees, however, began to ridicule Jesus and ask him by whose power he claims to do these miracles in.  Jesus then begins a teaching (v.25-37) about being on God’s side instead of the alternatives.  In verse 30 Jesus says, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

Norman Vincent Peale once wrote, “The call comes to each of us individually, to you and to me.  Are we with God or are we against Him?  Are we on His side or are we on the other side?  Are we going to give our lives to Him, or are we going to give our lives to something else?  How you answer these questions determines everything important about your life.”  Perhaps it’s time to concern ourselves more about this side of things than any other.  In John 15:5 Jesus warned, “Apart from me you can do nothing.”  It is true to say that apart from Jesus we can do nothing of eternal value or significance.  Let’s be on God’s side!

Make it Personal:  The next time someone asks you whose side you are on respond by saying, “God’s Side.”  It might be interesting to see where that takes the conversation depending on what subject matter you are discussing.  I would like to think that God is a St. Louis Cardinals fan but I’m sure God loves Cubs fans just as much.  With that, let the baseball season begin!

Have a great week,  Glen Rhodes