BE WITH THE LORD
Jesus said, whoever “is not with me is against me” (Matthew 12:30). The words of the Lord in the Bible have put all of us in a position that we must choose to be with or against him. He said we cannot serve more than one master (Matt. 6:24). Moreover, he says we should worship the Lord and serve him only (Luke 4:8).
Moses told the people of Israel to decide if they were on the Lord’s side Exodus 32:26). Joshua said, if serving the Lord seems desirable, then choose you this day whom you will serve (Joshua 24:15).
Furthermore, Jesus said, he came not to bring peace on earth, but a sword (Matt. 10:34). The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God, which discerns the thoughts and intents of all hearts (Hebrews 4:12).
DETERMINE HOW YOU ARE WITH THE LORD
In Matthew 10:34-42 and other parts of the Bible, the Lord gives us things to consider in determining how much we are with the Lord:
- Do you love the Lord more than your family?
- Are you willing to take up your cross and follow Jesus?
- Are you inclined to support true disciples of the Lord in their mission for him?
- Are you committed to love the Lord with all your heart, and your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:30-31)?
- Are you committed to do all that the Lord says in the biblical inspired Scripture (Luke 4:46; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)?
BE HOT FOR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
The Lord wants us to be hot in our love and service for him–If we are lukewarm, he said he would spit us out of his mouth (Revelation 3:16). In being hot for the Lord, he guarantees us a hundredfold more than we give up in this life to serve him and others on his behalf, and the reward of eternal life with him (Mark 10:29-30).
