Luke 11
March Memory Verse: "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10 NIV
Read: Luke 11
You can’t be neutral…
He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters. Luke 11:23
One of Satan’s greatest tricks that he plays against people is neutrality. He has us convinced that it’s OK for us to land in the middle – to not really make a clear decision one way or the other regarding our standing with Jesus. Whether we are dealing with a decision about receiving Jesus as our Savior, living our lives for Him, or obeying Him – being neutral seems to be valid option. Just one problem… Jesus said it’s not!
Why is neutral so attractive?
• It's much easier
• It requires less thought
• There’s considerably less pressure
• It seems as though no one’s against us
What are we neutral about?
Our walk with God
Often our thought is: I’m a Christian – I go to church – but I don’t want to go overboard about it. I have a lot of things going on. Jesus is just one of them.
Sin and obedience
God is not neutral about our sin – He is very clear about what He expects us to do and how He expects us to live. We often prefer to argue and debate the things that there is no debate about.
Service
Every blood-bought child of God should have a heart that abounds to serve our Savior. Our spirit should be unsettled if we’re not.
Evangelism
Often our attitude is – this is for others – or I’m not made for it or called to it. We can’t be neutral about evangelism. Jesus commanded it – God expects it. Our lives cause us to either be a stepping stone leading others to Jesus or a stumbling block causing them to fall – a missionary or a mission field.
Salvation
This is the most dangerous of all. So many people feel like they are not really committed to Jesus as Savior – but they’re not bad – so they are somewhere in the middle and it will be OK. It won’t be OK! Either you are in a relationship with God through Jesus or you aren’t.
Jesus was clear: "He who is not with Me is against Me." Neutral you cannot be – you’re either on His team or you’re not. My prayer for you today, is that you will be ALL in every area - that you will decide to be fully invested with Jesus and committed completely to Him.
How are you tempted to be neutral in your decisions and commitment to Jesus?
How do you resist this thinking?
By: Tim Parsons
Read: Luke 11
You can’t be neutral…
He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters. Luke 11:23
One of Satan’s greatest tricks that he plays against people is neutrality. He has us convinced that it’s OK for us to land in the middle – to not really make a clear decision one way or the other regarding our standing with Jesus. Whether we are dealing with a decision about receiving Jesus as our Savior, living our lives for Him, or obeying Him – being neutral seems to be valid option. Just one problem… Jesus said it’s not!
Why is neutral so attractive?
• It's much easier
• It requires less thought
• There’s considerably less pressure
• It seems as though no one’s against us
What are we neutral about?
Our walk with God
Often our thought is: I’m a Christian – I go to church – but I don’t want to go overboard about it. I have a lot of things going on. Jesus is just one of them.
Sin and obedience
God is not neutral about our sin – He is very clear about what He expects us to do and how He expects us to live. We often prefer to argue and debate the things that there is no debate about.
Service
Every blood-bought child of God should have a heart that abounds to serve our Savior. Our spirit should be unsettled if we’re not.
Evangelism
Often our attitude is – this is for others – or I’m not made for it or called to it. We can’t be neutral about evangelism. Jesus commanded it – God expects it. Our lives cause us to either be a stepping stone leading others to Jesus or a stumbling block causing them to fall – a missionary or a mission field.
Salvation
This is the most dangerous of all. So many people feel like they are not really committed to Jesus as Savior – but they’re not bad – so they are somewhere in the middle and it will be OK. It won’t be OK! Either you are in a relationship with God through Jesus or you aren’t.
Jesus was clear: "He who is not with Me is against Me." Neutral you cannot be – you’re either on His team or you’re not. My prayer for you today, is that you will be ALL in every area - that you will decide to be fully invested with Jesus and committed completely to Him.
How are you tempted to be neutral in your decisions and commitment to Jesus?
How do you resist this thinking?
By: Tim Parsons
24 Comments
Great insight into God's Word Tim. Whenever I am neutral i am swayed by old habits and prefer to be the light with the lampshade over it. It's much easier to fall into the pleasure derived by sin than it is to take a side in every and each situation. Heck even the Pharisees it says we're hypocrites that loaded people down with the burdens of the Law that even they weren't keeping. I like the thought and action of being for Jesus in any and every circumstance. Lord help soften my heart to hear your Word and apply it to my life. Help me be clear in my position on Christ in every aspect of my life.
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
Ah, I was wondering about context when I posted. I will go back and re-read. Thanks, Lindsay.
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
I like your thoughts Lindsay! I'm still thinking on this one!
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
Ah, I was wondering about context when I posted. I will go back and re-read. Thanks, Lindsay.
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
A thoughtful observation, Susan. I never caught the parallel until you pointed it out. Going back and reading it again it seems the context of both statements is important. The first was someone who believed in Christ and was doing good works in His name. Previous to that Jesus talks about children (who were considered as low in status) being welcomed into the Kingdom. Then John remarks about someone who is not of disciple status doing works John considered worthy only of Jesus' elite group. I think Jesus was taking John down a peg.
The second was in regard to some in a crowd (I would image Pharisees or teachers or the law who followed Jesus around trying to trip Him up) accusing Him of working through a demon. The accusers were definitely not of lowly status and definitely not believers, therefore not for Jesus. The parable Jesus uses next is about a man trying in His own strength to guard his house, like the people of the law thought they were doing spiritually through the law, and being overtaken by one stronger than himself, like demons.
That's how I read it. What are your thoughts Tim? Thanks for pointing that out, Susan.
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
Ah, I was wondering about context when I posted. I will go back and re-read. Thanks, Lindsay.
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
I like your thoughts Lindsay! I'm still thinking on this one!
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
Ah, I was wondering about context when I posted. I will go back and re-read. Thanks, Lindsay.
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
Luke 9:50 (NAS): 50 But Jesus said to him, "Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you.
Luke 11:23 (NAS): 23 "He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters.
Very interesting Susan - I guess I always read past that. I'll have to think on it - my only conclusion was that the context and players were different and Jesus - who knows all men's hearts - knew.
Thanks for asking such great questions and thanks for reading!
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
Ah, I was wondering about context when I posted. I will go back and re-read. Thanks, Lindsay.
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
I like your thoughts Lindsay! I'm still thinking on this one!
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
Ah, I was wondering about context when I posted. I will go back and re-read. Thanks, Lindsay.
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
A thoughtful observation, Susan. I never caught the parallel until you pointed it out. Going back and reading it again it seems the context of both statements is important. The first was someone who believed in Christ and was doing good works in His name. Previous to that Jesus talks about children (who were considered as low in status) being welcomed into the Kingdom. Then John remarks about someone who is not of disciple status doing works John considered worthy only of Jesus' elite group. I think Jesus was taking John down a peg.
The second was in regard to some in a crowd (I would image Pharisees or teachers or the law who followed Jesus around trying to trip Him up) accusing Him of working through a demon. The accusers were definitely not of lowly status and definitely not believers, therefore not for Jesus. The parable Jesus uses next is about a man trying in His own strength to guard his house, like the people of the law thought they were doing spiritually through the law, and being overtaken by one stronger than himself, like demons.
That's how I read it. What are your thoughts Tim? Thanks for pointing that out, Susan.
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
Ah, I was wondering about context when I posted. I will go back and re-read. Thanks, Lindsay.
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
I like your thoughts Lindsay! I'm still thinking on this one!
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
Ah, I was wondering about context when I posted. I will go back and re-read. Thanks, Lindsay.
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
I have been waiting for this chapter and have a point of confusion I hope you can help clarify. I know somehow Luke 9:50 and Luke 11:23 are both true, but I am missing it.
Looking forward to seeing your thoughts. Thanks.
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
Ah, I was wondering about context when I posted. I will go back and re-read. Thanks, Lindsay.
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
I like your thoughts Lindsay! I'm still thinking on this one!
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
Ah, I was wondering about context when I posted. I will go back and re-read. Thanks, Lindsay.
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
A thoughtful observation, Susan. I never caught the parallel until you pointed it out. Going back and reading it again it seems the context of both statements is important. The first was someone who believed in Christ and was doing good works in His name. Previous to that Jesus talks about children (who were considered as low in status) being welcomed into the Kingdom. Then John remarks about someone who is not of disciple status doing works John considered worthy only of Jesus' elite group. I think Jesus was taking John down a peg.
The second was in regard to some in a crowd (I would image Pharisees or teachers or the law who followed Jesus around trying to trip Him up) accusing Him of working through a demon. The accusers were definitely not of lowly status and definitely not believers, therefore not for Jesus. The parable Jesus uses next is about a man trying in His own strength to guard his house, like the people of the law thought they were doing spiritually through the law, and being overtaken by one stronger than himself, like demons.
That's how I read it. What are your thoughts Tim? Thanks for pointing that out, Susan.
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
Ah, I was wondering about context when I posted. I will go back and re-read. Thanks, Lindsay.
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
I like your thoughts Lindsay! I'm still thinking on this one!
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
Ah, I was wondering about context when I posted. I will go back and re-read. Thanks, Lindsay.
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
Luke 9:50 (NAS): 50 But Jesus said to him, "Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you.
Luke 11:23 (NAS): 23 "He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters.
Very interesting Susan - I guess I always read past that. I'll have to think on it - my only conclusion was that the context and players were different and Jesus - who knows all men's hearts - knew.
Thanks for asking such great questions and thanks for reading!
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
Ah, I was wondering about context when I posted. I will go back and re-read. Thanks, Lindsay.
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
I like your thoughts Lindsay! I'm still thinking on this one!
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
Ah, I was wondering about context when I posted. I will go back and re-read. Thanks, Lindsay.
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
A thoughtful observation, Susan. I never caught the parallel until you pointed it out. Going back and reading it again it seems the context of both statements is important. The first was someone who believed in Christ and was doing good works in His name. Previous to that Jesus talks about children (who were considered as low in status) being welcomed into the Kingdom. Then John remarks about someone who is not of disciple status doing works John considered worthy only of Jesus' elite group. I think Jesus was taking John down a peg.
The second was in regard to some in a crowd (I would image Pharisees or teachers or the law who followed Jesus around trying to trip Him up) accusing Him of working through a demon. The accusers were definitely not of lowly status and definitely not believers, therefore not for Jesus. The parable Jesus uses next is about a man trying in His own strength to guard his house, like the people of the law thought they were doing spiritually through the law, and being overtaken by one stronger than himself, like demons.
That's how I read it. What are your thoughts Tim? Thanks for pointing that out, Susan.
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
Ah, I was wondering about context when I posted. I will go back and re-read. Thanks, Lindsay.
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
I like your thoughts Lindsay! I'm still thinking on this one!
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
Ah, I was wondering about context when I posted. I will go back and re-read. Thanks, Lindsay.
Thanks Joey! I'm so proud of you! You've grown a bunch in your walk with Jesus in the past year or so. You're an inspiration!
My biggest struggle with neutrality are with forms of obedience that make me uncomfortable. I am perfectly fine serving and spending intentional time and this is good. However, I use these things as a way to justify my neutrality with evangelism.
The biggest way to combat this is to decide what you want the most in life. Is it a better relationship with Jesus? Then I will do whatever it takes to deepen it. If my aim is anything else, I happily camp out in comfort and neutrality.
Thanks Jordan. It's such an easy trap. I agree. Praying for you!
I shouldn't be neutral about prayer either. Verse 2 is convicting me (for the second time this weekend). "Jesus said to them, 'WHEN you pray, say...".
In other words, Jesus EXPECTS us to pray. He simply assumes that you will pray. He doesn't say "IF you pray", instead He says "WHEN you pray". It should be automatic.
That's right Thomas! It's so easy to be isn't it?
I am often tempted to be neutral in evangelism and to be still in having urgency for those around me. I encourage people to reach those around them and to passionately pursue them for the Lord, but sometimes it is just talk for me. To me I am not doing all that I can to reach my spheres of influence and the people that I impact daily.
To resist this thinking, I have to continually remind myself that a moment or two of awkwardness is better than eternity in Hell. Another way to resist this thinking is to cry out to the Lord for boldness to see His command done through me.
You have such a great story Nick and a winsome personality. I know God is going to use you!
I have definitely been neutral towards evangelism in the past. I've been guilty of the thought that "others will do it." However, why should I not share? God has given us his Holy Spirit, so we are equipped to share with others. It just takes time in God's word and time in prayer to be ready for those gospel conversations. I have to remind myself that the great commission wasn't just for those in full time ministry, but for all believers.
You are growing so much Scottie! I'm so proud of you and blessed to serve along side you!
I find that it is easy to be neutral about my sins. I focus on trying to stop myself from doing sinful actions because those things make me feel bad but being a Christian isn't just about not doing thing bad things. It's about doing the good things that God has called us to and not doing those things is also sin but it is easier to accept that sin for me.
I can relate for sure! I never really thought of not doing what Jesus has called us to do as the same as doing what He said not to do until the last 2 years or so. He has been working on my heart here too but I think a lot of that is He has brought people into my life who are such a blessing and example of what it looks like to live out the Christian calling and habitually say yes to wherever the Trinity leads. And I am also seeing that when we do what He says its so fulfilling and really makes resisting the obvious sins much easier, bc we are busy fulfilling His purpose for us. Thanks for sharing!
Yes it is - we make all sorts of excuses. I'm not so bad - everyone does that - I'm only human and so on. But it's SIN. Right on Dale!
I can relate for sure! I never really thought of not doing what Jesus has called us to do as the same as doing what He said not to do until the last 2 years or so. He has been working on my heart here too but I think a lot of that is He has brought people into my life who are such a blessing and example of what it looks like to live out the Christian calling and habitually say yes to wherever the Trinity leads. And I am also seeing that when we do what He says its so fulfilling and really makes resisting the obvious sins much easier, bc we are busy fulfilling His purpose for us. Thanks for sharing!
I can be tempted to be neutral about evangelism bc of my own failings, and really forgetting what Christ has done for me and how much we all need Him. I think I maximize my own part in it like the exact words I say over God's part in it and I have prayed about that a lot. He has recently placed a friend in my life and I shared the gospel with her a couple days ago, her name is Sara so please pray for her. I think the only way I can successfully fight feeling inadequate and disqualifying myself is to trust Him and know that I cant do anything without Him and its not really on me, He has called us to share but the results are all Him. Noah warned people and built the ark and he might have felt like a failure bc no one listened to him but ultimately he was a success in God's eyes. I think I am so performance oriented and perfectionistic and honestly prideful that I can make it about me. Like if I don't see results I must have not done it right and there is proof I need to stop witnessing bc I am not good at it. A lot of that is how my past church/fundamentalists taught a lot check lists and ways to measure our progress as Christians which just kinda put a lot of pressure on me. But thats not super helpful because its all God anyways. and we can only do those things in Him. I think just taking the pressure off and approaching it as I am gonna follow the Spirit and talk to whoever He wants me to, then see what He does with it. He is not judging my performance and shaking His head at how bad I am doing, and I can not wreck His plan for anyone if I just speak the truth in love and leave it at that. I want to hear well done and that is motivating me too, because we only get one shot at that and I can't let myself get so in the way that I just coast through life and never take my place in God's story and plan. I have to preach to myself a lot haha and that helps me to resist thinking God can't use me. Thanks for the word!
I agree Mattie! Keep seeking their Lord! Susan and I would love to meet up again with you when you have time - I'd love to hear what God is doing.
Well I don't know if I'm being neutral with not keeping up with this devotional, not being at church every Sunday, and even not serving on the worship team anymore... I will tell myself that it's okay, but I'm not really sure what God wants for me.
Praying for you too Daniel. We miss you so much! Loving, Seeking, and Living for Jesus is the best life possible. Let me know how I can help. Thanks for commenting.
Tk, I can definitely relate. With covid I had been out of church and faith for a vast portion of the year and very neutral in my faith for the majority of those lockdown months. I know how hard it is to get back into the system and how easy it is to fall into the grey zone. I would recommend trying an accountability partner or someone to talk to about the sermon or study, it gives a way to make you be active in faith and to think a bit deeper.(if you're unsure of where to find that I'm sure one of the pastors would be happy to oblige) its what's worked for me getting into a deeper faith. and just remember that no matter what is happening, God is there and has a plan for you. I'll be praying for you, I cant wait to see your comments in the future!
Praying for you too Daniel. We miss you so much! Loving, Seeking, and Living for Jesus is the best life possible. Let me know how I can help. Thanks for commenting.
Yep - pretty sure that's the definition of it TK. Praying for you that God gives you passion to obey Him.
Praying for you too Daniel. We miss you so much! Loving, Seeking, and Living for Jesus is the best life possible. Let me know how I can help. Thanks for commenting.
Tk, I can definitely relate. With covid I had been out of church and faith for a vast portion of the year and very neutral in my faith for the majority of those lockdown months. I know how hard it is to get back into the system and how easy it is to fall into the grey zone. I would recommend trying an accountability partner or someone to talk to about the sermon or study, it gives a way to make you be active in faith and to think a bit deeper.(if you're unsure of where to find that I'm sure one of the pastors would be happy to oblige) its what's worked for me getting into a deeper faith. and just remember that no matter what is happening, God is there and has a plan for you. I'll be praying for you, I cant wait to see your comments in the future!
Praying for you too Daniel. We miss you so much! Loving, Seeking, and Living for Jesus is the best life possible. Let me know how I can help. Thanks for commenting.