I’ve heard several sermons
preached fifty to sixty years ago about ‘straddling the
fence.’ It seemed
appropriate at the time, but nowhere near as much as it is today.
Now fifty and sixty years
seem like a very long time, but to those of us in our waning years, it was only
yesterday. (Whoever said ‘the older you get, the faster time flies’ was dead
on.)
I recall vividly that in that
era many, many things were so much different than they are today. There were
still plenty of sinning and wrecked lives to go around back then, but today’s
society has put on public display, in the bright light of day, what used to be
hidden back then in the shadows of the night.
In those days the
‘un-churched’ had respect for God’s house and His ministers. The vilest of sins
were anathema. Women were treated as ladies, and they reciprocated by acting
like ladies. Men were gentlemen. Families were honored. Children were
respectful to all adults. Work was honored and laziness was looked down upon. I
could give a hundred comparisons if I chose, but this is plenty to get the
point for now.
Let me repeat that the world
back then had plenty of problems with sin, just as we do today. The difference
is that those sins once kept in check or hidden in the dark are now on open
display for any-and-all to see, and there is little to no shame. Another difference is that there were by far
fewer participants of rebellion against God and all He stands for in those
days.
For example: homosexuality is
like a cancer that started out as a small spot back then, barely visible, but
today has metastasized throughout the entire body.
Another example: the pulpit
was revered and respected as a special place to proclaim the Word of God.
Today, the Word of God has been diluted and blasphemed by false prophets and
charlatans. Most ‘church’ services are a sham that mocks the holiness of a
righteous God.
Today, mass murder of unborn
babies is legal; divorce is rampant; pornography is a cancerous fungus on
society; lying and cheating is considered the norm; laziness is rewarded;
respect for others has flown out the window; and there is no fear of God.
Now let us consider but a few
Scripture verses.
“And Elijah came unto all the
people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God,
follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a
word.” (1 Kings 18:21)
“He that is not with me is
against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” (Matthew
12:30)
“No man can serve two
masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will
hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
(Matthew 6:24)
“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.” (Exodus 32:26)
“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.” (Joshua (24:15)
“And it shall come to pass at
that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that
are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good,
neither will he do evil.” (Zephaniah 1:12)
Also consider the entire
sixth chapter of the book of Romans.
Of just these few verses I
have selected, we can readily see that we as Christians need to stop straddling
the fence. We have an even greater opportunity today than yesteryear to stand
up with God and be counted. You might say that God is like the marine slogan
circa 1970, He’s looking for “a few good men.” (I mean no disrespect to our
Lord by the way.) How many of us are ready to climb down off the fence and
serve the Lord?
We are certainly in the last
days of the Church age. The next event on God’s schedule is for Jesus Christ to
come for His bride (the Rapture). He is already preparing the way for the
Tribulation which follows the Rapture.
How many of us are letting
others know that our Lord could come at any time? How many of us are sharing
the Gospel of salvation to those who are lost? How many of us are standing
against the tide of Satan’s destruction upon our families and our society?
I know there are many of
God’s people who have separated themselves from the world, but there are many
others, who call themselves ‘Christian’ who are serving Baal and not God. Most
in our churches have their legs dangling on both sides of the fence, playing
both ends against the middle. Are they even saved? I don’t know, but they
certainly need to find out.
Our country is in a horrible
mess, and it seems especially at this particular time that most people think a
new President will solve all our problems. The general election will be this
year, and all our problems will be solved. Right? Wrong! Our problem is a ‘sin’
problem that only Jesus Christ can fix. All the other ‘stuff’ is just the result
of our sinful hearts. Until we get our hearts lined up with Almighty God,
nothing will be solved.
We have gone so far in our
open rebellion against God that judgment is definitely coming. Will Jesus
remove His church before our downfall? I don’t know. I do know this. Whether in
blessing or judgment, I would prefer to be on God’s side at all times. Many of
you feel the same, and many of you could care less.
Millions of people have left
this world via death not worrying about anything but their own desires while
upon this earth, only to be shocked at what they face on the other side of the
grave. They straddled the fence one moment too long.
Jesus is coming for His
church and afterwards millions will be catapulted into the horrors of the
Tribulation because they too straddled the fence one moment too long.
Galatians 6:7-9 says, “Do not
be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh
will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will
reap eternal life. Let us not become
weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not
give up.”
How many true Christians are
intimidated by ‘what society thinks?’ “What would my family think?” “What would
my friends think?” Maybe we should ask, “Am I any better than Peter when he
denied our Lord three times?” Maybe we should be ashamed and ask His
forgiveness, then firmly decide to stand with Jesus even though it may not be
politically correct. Read the Gospels and honestly answer this question, “Was
Jesus ever politically correct?” Don’t stand for what is popular, but stand for
what is right, and only God knows what is right, which can be found in His
Word, the Bible.
Wouldn’t it be great if God
could see thousands of people getting down off the fence and coming to His
side? None would be disappointed.
Grant Phillips
Email: grantphillips@windstream.net
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
