Don't Straddle The Fence

Most of us are "Facebookers". We almost religiously read it everyday, and often several times a day. We follow all our friends and even their friends. Reading all the posts, looking at all the pictures, and watching the videos, we click 'like' and sometimes 'comment'. I am amazed at people who profess to be Christian on the one hand post a scripture or their Pastor's blog, then right after, post something indecent or with obscenities. 

1 John 2:4 says, "He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." This is talking to those that are 'fence straddlers'. They say 'I know God, I love Him', but they do not do what He commands them to do!! What are His commandments? 1) "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’  And 2) ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31) Love is obedient and love is selfless.

And... Titus 1:16 says, "They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work." This scripture is telling us we 'deny' God by our awful rebellious deeds, doing things contrary to the Word of God. 

Children of God, we cannot on the one hand give a testimony of God's grace and goodness then in the next minute exemplify the worlds view. Matt. 6:24 says, "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other...." Are you a 'fence straddler', having one foot in your own yard and the other in your neighbors, and trying to convince other's on which side you're living? If......

1) one has a foul mouth (James 3:11, "Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?"),
2) is harboring un-forgiveness (Matt. 6:14-15, "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."),
3) display actions unbecoming to a Christ like life (Col. 3:17, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."), or
​4) does not express love (God's love) towards family & others (1 John 4:8, "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.") YOU are 'straddling the fence'. 

Ask yourself, does my witness clarify I'm totally 100% sold out to Christ? Am I living fully in the Spirit of God? Do my actions match the word of God I sometimes speak? Is what I'm doing and saying leading others closer to Jesus? These questions are not meant to bring condemnation - but a place of evaluation. ("Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?" 2 Cor. 13:5) If you feel you have missed the mark - repent - turn around 180 degrees. Give yourself completely over to Him.. and let your life be a testimony of "It's no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me..." Don't straddle the fence.

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