So Janet and I have been fighting Covid here for the past two weeks or so. And one of the things that we have noticed is that we feel bad – or we feel good… There is no middle ground. We are fighting headaches, sore throats, congestion, fatigue and other symptoms – or we aren’t. That’s one of the things that is so strange about this variant. There doesn’t seem to be a middle ground. I have even had an earache with this stuff – until 10 minutes later I don’t!
We see the same thing happening in politics. It wasn’t that many years ago that detente was important and many people in Congress worked together in concert to achieve goals that would benefit everyone. Nowadays, that is the exception instead of the rule. And look at the issues we are having with the stalking of the Supreme Court justices. This would never have been tolerated, or even thought of, fifty years ago. Yet polar confrontations have become common place – what a shame.
In fact, there is one place where there should absolutely be no middle ground – and that is the most important decision you will ever make. Do you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Yes – or no…
There is no middle ground here. You either believe or you don’t. You can’t have it both ways. And there aren’t 50 million different ways to get to heaven. It’s not because you are a good person, or because you have helped others. Those things are by-products of having accepted Christ. The only way to get there for sure is to make Jesus the Lord of your life – hook, line and sinker. The way you live your life after that should be a response of loving one another well.
The apostle John provides our verse for tonight. John, who had a very special relationship with the Lord, gives us the words of Jesus in John 14:6-7, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
It is important to understand what is being said here. There is only one way to eternity with Christ – that is by accepting Jesus – period. There is no other way – none of us can get into heaven by good deeds, or thinking that we can earn a “seat on the bus.” Nope – can’t happen. You must believe in Jesus and then you get to the Father. End of story…
My encouragement this evening is that everyone has a chance to meet and know Jesus face to face – personally. Forever! My prayer is that we won’t be wishy washy on this matter. And if you know someone who is waffling around on whether or not to take the leap of faith, be an encouragement to them. It’s the most important decision they will ever make – and there’s no middle ground. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…