23 "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters.
Jesus tells us that it is impossible for us to stay neutral in the battle between Christ and Satan. Are we with Him or do we scatter? He states the exact same thing again in Matthew:30 "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. Matt 12:30 (NIV)
Take heed to repetition in Scripture. We delude ourselves when we believe we are just standing still. We are either going forward, growing in Christ likeness, or going backwards becoming more and more conformed to the image of this world. May the latter never be said of us! Jesus’ half brother Jude states: 20 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21 Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. 22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. Jude 1:20-23 (NIV) We are to be earnestly contending for the faith, remembering the teachings and warnings of the Scriptures, and building ourselves up in the most holy faith. We have been commanded to pray continually (I Thessalonians 5:17), keeping ourselves in the love of God, looking always to Jesus for mercy to bring us to eternal life. Lastly, we are to show mercy to those who are doubting and mercy coupled with caution to the corrupt so as not to become intertwined with sin ourselves. Paul gives us further insight to the Christian pilgrimage likening it to a runner running a race: 19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel that I may share in its blessings.
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Cor 9:19-27 (NIV)
Paul did not exercise his rights but voluntarily shackled them becoming a slave for the good of others whom he desired to win (ouch!); never compromising the essence of the gospel at the heart of which was salvation by faith, not works and also freedom from legalism. Paul willingly gave up certain privileges that he might have otherwise enjoyed in order to win the eternal crown bestowed by Christ. That, my friends, is a heavenly, eternal perspective. Unfortunately, so often we live with a worldly, temporal perspective. We are not into delayed gratification! We want what we want when we want it! God says this is not our home. He tells us to be heavenly hearted! 19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matt 6:19-21 (NIV) Our hearts are where our treasure lies – our hearts are placed on what we highly esteem and value. That is why we are told in Colossians:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Col 3:1-4 (NIV)
We are to be bringing heavenly direction to our earthly duties fixing our attention on things above and concentrating our concern on the eternal and not the temporal. Not an easy task in the world we live in but nevertheless, like Paul, one we should strive for. “Sing the wondrous love of Jesus, sing His mercy and His grace; in the mansions bright and blessed, He’ll prepare for us a place. While we walk the pilgrim pathway, clouds will over spread the sky; but when traveling days are over, not a shadow, not a sigh. Let us then be true and faithful, trusting serving everyday; just one glimpse of Him in glory will the toils of life repay. Onward to the prize before us! Soon His beauty we’ll behold; soon the pearly gates will open, we shall tread the streets of gold. When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory!” Eliza E. Hewitt