Whose Side Are You On?
Whose Side Are You On?
I came across this question years back when going through the Book of Joshua, but it comes up again and again, “Whose side are you on?” And today especially, here in America, the question continues in that which directs people. It’s called politics.
Whose side are you on, the Democrats or the Republicans? Which do you follow, most times blindly, led by persons of questionable purpose and morality, refusing to think and disobeying God? I could throw out my thoughts on the issues, but to what avail. Once one becomes subjective, objectivity is hard to regain. And, too, politics rarely fixes anything. Its greatest value is to show our ignorance or ambivalence to things, and that based on another’s statements, most unproven or disingenuous. But that’s enough on this issue.
Our question is in regard to the most important issue of life, God. “Whose side are you on?”
Way back in the Book of Joshua, this question came up:
Joshua 5:13; And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?
Here is Joshua, the leader of the Hebrews who have just returned to the “promised land” and are about to take Jericho. Remember as a kid in church singing “Josha fit the battle of Jericho, and the walls come tumbling down.” (Hear it again for yourself as Mahalia Jackson sings it, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHFGRI51yDg).
Anyway, Joshua is preparing for the battle when a man shows up in his tent with a drawn sword. Unafraid, at this point, Joshua walks right up to him and says, “Are you on their side or our side?” And that is the title of this writing, “Whose side are you on?” Joshua gets a quite unexpected answer:
Joshua 5:14; And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?
The man, who we find in Joshua 6:2 is none other than the preincarnate Lord Jesus Christ, who replies “Nay..”, in present day terms “neither.” And in this reply we find the answer to our title question.
God does not have a side. He does have to “fit in” and He does not. We do. We may not have to pick a side on man-made issue, though we do, but we when do, we have to be in line with His word when we do choose to be involved in matters. And His word will make the issue clear and after proper independent study, we should choose Him every time. To rely on the words of men is foolishness, Proverbs 9:6; 14:7; 29:9. Only the foolish depend on the words of men before God.
We are the ones that must choose on issues. As Moses said to the Hebrews regarding the golden calf back in Exodus 32:26, “… Who is on the Lord’s side?”
God has set standards in His word, the Bible. We are free to choose that which we will believe and not believe.
Oh, we may choose badly at times, but God has made provisions for that. But the one issue, the one choice that is fixed and non-revokable is salvation. God’s side in this issue is not a pick and choose for a short time thing. And it is an eternal question with an eternal answer, “Whose side are you on?”
And the answer is simple. It is Jesus Christ. And it is the Christians duty, privilege and honor to present Him to the world.
So, “Whose side are you on?”. I have made the choice, now it is your turn. You have to choose, and the best time is now.
Do you believe God? Do you believe the words of Jesus Christ, the savior of mankind, when He gave you the answer in John 3:16? Then now is the time to act and receive forgiveness and be on God’s side.
A Sinner’s Prayer: God I recognize you as the Almighty God. I know I am a sinner according to your word. Help me to turn away from sin. I am asking your forgiveness and asking Jesus come into my life and heart and save me. Amen.
If you have prayed these words, or words similar, from your heart, God heard and you are saved for evermore.
Welcome to the family!