Jeremiah 7:23-28, Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9, Luke 11:14-23
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THE MYTH OF NEUTRALITY
The man "who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters." -Luke 11:23
When some people accused Jesus of casting out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, Jesus said: "He who is not with Me is against Me." In the context of spiritual warfare, we are enemies of Jesus if we aren't on His side. There is no neutrality in spiritual warfare. Those who profess to be neutral are either disguised enemies or unknowing draftees into Satan's army. In the context of ministry, we're with Jesus as long as we're not against Him (Mk 9:40). However, in the context of spiritual warfare, we're against Him if we're not with Him.
Therefore, those who haven't given their lives to Jesus are part of the opposition to Jesus and His Church in spiritual warfare. Those who are the world's friends are God's enemies (Jas 4:4). Those who refuse to repent of sin and are "set upon the things of this world" are "enemies of the cross" (see Phil 3:18-19). We don't have to be Judas Iscariot to be an enemy of Jesus. We qualify as His enemy if we wash our hands of the situation as Pontius Pilate did (Mt 27:24), give Jesus the "silent treatment" as Simon Peter did (see Lk 22:57), or are just not there for Jesus as the apostles were not present at Calvary (see Mk 14:50). We are enlisted into Satan's army not just by overt rebellion against Jesus, but also by apathy, lukewarmness, silence, and selfishness. We are either for or against Jesus. Give your life to Him now.
Prayer: Father, may I understand why lukewarmness nauseates Jesus (see Rv 3:16).
Promise: "Listen to My voice; then I will be your God and you shall be My people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper." -Jer 7:23
Praise: Realizing she had yet again fallen into complacency, Julie prayed for the fire of God's love to overtake her.
(For a related teaching, order our leaflet "Spiritual Warfare" or our audio tape AV 57-3 or video V-57.)
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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from February 1, 2011 through March 31, 2011
?Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July27, 2010
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.
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