On the Fence

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Romans 12:1

I've heard it said that there are only two truly happy kinds of people in this life: those who have given themselves fully to God, and those who have given themselves fully over to the pleasures of this world. Everybody else in between is basically operating at different levels of misery. I tend to agree with this assessment.

Of course judgement awaits the second group of people (in addition to not truly being "happy"), but scripture tells us that those of us "on the fence" will have to give account of our lives to God (see Romans 14:10). 

The Bible is full of messages for us to "get off the fence". Joshua famously told the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land to "choose you this day whom ye will serve" (Joshua 24:15). Elijah told the people during the reign of the wicked Ahab: "How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal (i.e., Satan), follow him.."(1 Kings 18:21). And the risen Lord Jesus told the church of Laodicea: "I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:15-16). 

Strong words from "gentle Jesus, meek and mild"! The overall theme of these scriptures is for us not to take God's great salvation for granted. 

But why are we so reluctant to give ourselves fully to God? 

Some of us are afraid of what our friends might say. Some have fallen for Satan's lie that all earthly enjoyment will be taken away. Still others of us hold on to those one or two "precious" sins we refuse to let go of (though we may rationalize it away as not sin - see Luke 18:18-23). 

Friends, this is no kind of life to live during our short time on this earth. What we are essentially doing is choking the flow of God's Spirit in our life. His purpose for us will never fully be realized, and if we continually harden our heart, we risk joining those going to perdition (see Hebrews 6:4-6). 

God has great plans for us (see Jeremiah 29:11). The Promised Land Joshua (i.e., Jesus) was leading his people to in the Old Testament represents not life after death as some believe, but eternal life beginning now. God is looking for full commitment from His people, so they can live in victory each day, and be a "sweet savour" of His presence (2 Corinthians 2:14-16) wherever they go. Let us give ourselves fully to Him so we may have this honor and let His purpose be fully realized in our lives.