No Middle Ground

He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad (Matthew 12:30).

No Middle Ground

These are the words of Jesus, spoken within the context of the Pharisees accusing Him of performing miracles by the power of Satan. Jesus tells them that the Kingdom of God is among them, a reference to Himself and His earthly ministry. He then warns the Pharisees against committing blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, and exposes them for who they really are: a generation of vipers (Matthew 12:34).

Jesus makes it very clear to these religious leaders – and all people – that we are either with Him or against Him. There is no middle ground. There is no wavering. This doesn't mean someone has to be perfect and sinless to follow Jesus, but it does mean exactly what He said.

There are only two options: 1. To be for Jesus. 2. To be against Jesus. Those who are for Him believe in Him as their Lord and Savior and their lives are expressions of that love and faith as displayed through loving obedience to what He says.

Those who are for Jesus imitate Him, and when they stumble, they repent and seek forgiveness. Those who are for Jesus love Him and want to know Him more intimately and be faithful in what He has called them to be and to do. Those who are for Jesus know they can't save themselves, but rather admit their inability and ask, seek, and knock for His power to overcome their sin.

The Against Ones

Those who are against Jesus may give lip service to Him, but their lives are far from what He says a Christian's life should be.

The religious leaders at the time of Christ did not believe in Jesus, and accused Him of blasphemy. They were obviously not for Jesus, but against Him. They were against everything He was, everything He said, and everything He represented.

Those who are against Jesus pay no attention to His teaching and truth. Some give the appearance of proclaiming His word or doing great things in His Name, but in the end Jesus will tell them: I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (Matthew 7:23).

Self-Examination

Are you for or against Jesus? It is one thing to profess Christ, but are you possessed by Him?

Do you believe in Him, love Him, and obey Him, or merely say you do? There is a big difference! The difference means eternal life or eternal damnation. If you are a Christian who is rebelling against God, even in the smallest way, repent! Humble yourself and come back to the One who died for those sins and calls you to Himself.

If you are a professing Christian who is living in rebellion and not convicted by your sins, you are either not saved, or your heart is hardened. Repent and ask forgiveness! If you are a Christian who is trying harder to do better, you will not succeed and you will be defeated because you are trying in your strength, rather than putting your life in God's hands. Repent and ask for His grace and strength.

Jesus doesn't give us the option to ride the fence when it comes to Him. We either gather with Him, bringing people closer to Him through our words and life, or we scatter from Him, giving others and excuse to walk away from Him.

I'm not writing this to bring guilt, but to challenge all of us who claim Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Are we living by His power or our own? Are we for Jesus or against Him? Jesus Himself says there is no middle ground.

If you believe you are loitering in the middle, then RUN – don't walk – into His open and waiting arms!

Michael Weis is a pastor, video operator, editor, and social media manager at Zion's Hope.