relationships (Matthew 12:30-37) Choosing a Side

(Matthew 12:30-50)

30 The one who is not with Me is against Me; and the one who does not gather with Me scatters.

31 “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

33 “Either assume the tree to be good as well as its fruit good, or assume the tree to be bad as well as its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, express any good things? For the mouth speaks from that which fills the heart. 35 The good person brings out of his good treasure good things; and the evil person brings out of his evil treasure evil things. 36 But I tell you that for every careless word that people speak, they will give an account of it on the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY

The one unpardonable sin is to reject Jesus and His salvation, which comes with His forgiveness of all our sins (past, present and future), as well as eternal life, and His indwelling Holy Spirit, who seals us, and changes us from the inside out.  Then, when believers stand before the Lord at the Bema Seat to be judged and rewarded for the good deeds we have done with right motives.  We will not be judged according to our sins, because they have all been forgiven, and the Lord chooses to remember them no more.

Those who have rejected the Lord, and never received His forgiveness of sins, and do not have the Holy Spirit, have chosen to live by their own works.  Therefore, when they stand before the Lord at the White Throne Judgement, they will be judged and punished for the sins they have committed.  Understand, the Lord doesn't want to punish anyone, but desires that all come to know Him.  But because He is love, He does not force anyone to love Him back.  Even once someone decides to become a believer, He does not force anyone to be obedient.

Now, looking back at verse 30, it very clearly says, "The one who is not with Me is against Me..."  One cannot be an unbeliever and know and serve the Lord.  God is holy and cannot have a relationship with sin.  The one who is still a slave to sin, will not understand the Lord or His way.

It is also important to note that this verse does NOT say - the one who is with Me is not against Me - because the Lord knows that believers will stray and fall into sin.  I've even seen how Christians will fight for their personal preferences, to the point of causing divisions and scattering believers, either to other churches, or, even sadder, to just give up in their walk with God!  If and when we do that, we must realize that we are actually doing the work of Satan!  So then when we sin, as we are God's children, He will discipline us.  This isn't a bad thing.  

Remember, Christianity is all about having a personal relationship with the Lord, because He loves us, and desires that we continue to return to Him and His word, because He has a much better way, and we will see that it is so very worth it!  And because of His grace, patience and faithfulness, we can never lose our salvation.  But since He wants us to return to Him, confess, and continue on in growing closer to Him, in our disobedience, He will allow us to feel loneliness and despair.  Even though He will never leave us, if we choose to stray, we are the ones who are walking away from this most precious relationship of peace, joy, certain hope, wisdom and strength.  Therefore, it is up to us to once again seek after Him!

When we return in obedience, we will once again experience the Lord.  The more we experience the Lord, the more we look to Him.  The more we look to Him, the more He works for us, in us and through us, to be more and more obedient, fruitful, and helpful in serving Him and others with good deeds!  Good deeds that are done with right motives, are those which are done in God's love, strength and in His righteousness, all to His glory.  This is what it means to be with the Lord!