Choosing Sides There are certain phrases that are often embraced as if they are somehow noble and considerate. “To each his own.” “Live and let live.” “My body, my choice.” “Coexist” All these terms have an implication that choices can somehow be independent of taking any particular side or experiencing consequences. This may be true to a degree with some color, food, or entertainment preferences, but many of life’s choices have to do with established guidelines that are meant for our health, protection, productivity, and prosperity. Speed limits, restricted substances, prohibited violence, and tax requirements are all in place for individual and collective good. A choice to violate these laws is a choice of sides against them that comes with ramifications both from law enforcement and the acts themselves. Doing away with the laws may reduce the enforcement punishment, but will actually expand the consequence of liberated devastating actions. Removal of speed limits may do away with tickets, but will also increase injury from collisions. The liberty we have received in Christ is not the freedom to somehow just choose whatever seems right to us from our own perspective. The law given to Moses had very natural benefits that were apart from avoiding punishment for their violation. Not murdering, coveting, stealing, or committing adultery are all beneficial and avert devastating consequences. This is true even without any written rule. What we have in our union with Christ isn’t the elimination of sides with regard to these truths. The choice of Him is acceptance of His laws to be written on the heart. Much greater than the intended purpose of a written edict is our Father’s righteousness that we become as a new creation in Christ. This goes way beyond what any set of rules could accomplish as it touches every life choice with Truth found only in Him. Any alternative choice now may not have condemnation from law enforcement, but it will be taking sides against what He has written on the heart. Simple yielding to what He’s formed there will ensure divine health, protection, productivity, and prosperity far greater than any earthly provision. Notes Without the heart – still not on His side Isaiah 29:13 13 And so the Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote. God’s codified side – on our hearts. Hebrews 8:10 10 But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the LORD: I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. (Jeremiah 33:31-34) Jesus’ prayer - John 17:14 14 I have given them your message and that is why the unbelieving world hates them. For their allegiance is no longer to this world because I am not of this world. John 17:21 21 I pray for them all to be joined together as one even as you and I, Father, are joined together as one. I pray for them to become one with us so that the world will recognize that you sent me. It’s through the mouth from the heart that the side is chosen Romans 10:8 8 But the faith-righteousness we receive speaks to us in these words of Moses: “God’s living message is very close to you, as close as your own heart beating in your chest and as near as the tongue in your mouth.” Our choice of Christ is a choice of sides Titus 2:12-14 12 This same grace teaches us how to live each day as we turn our backs on ungodliness and indulgent lifestyles, and it equips us to live self-controlled, upright, godly lives in this present age. 13 For we continue to look forward to the joyful fulfillment of our hope in the dawning splendor of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus, the Anointed One. 14 He sacrificed himself for us that he might purchase our freedom from every lawless deed and to purify for himself a people who are his very own, passionate to do what is beautiful in his eyes. Only one side at a time – the side of what is most loved Matthew 6:24 (TPT) 24 “How could you worship two gods at the same time? You will have to hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t worship the true God while enslaved to the god of money!” Can’t be on God’s side and joined with unbelieving 2 Corinthians 6:15-16 (NLT) 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Not serving - against Matthew 12:30 30 “So join with me, for if you’re not on my side you are against me. And if you refuse to help me gather the spoils, you are making things worse. To not do is to choose James 4:17 17 Remember, too, that knowing what is right to do and then not doing it is sin. All that is done – choice of sides Revelation 3:15-16 (NLT) 15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! His side – set apart/holy 1 Thessalonians 5:23 23 Now, may the God of peace and harmony set you apart, making you completely holy. And may your entire being—spirit, soul, and body—be kept completely flawless in the appearing of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. Overview: To be on a side is to adhere to established ways or guidelines. Can be on a side by compulsion or by choice. God’s desire is for us to choose His side of health, protection, productivity, and prosperity. Through Christ we can choose God’s righteous side that is completely separated from the world. Can only choose one side at a time. To be on His side is to serve on His side. His side is only for the hot. Our promised opportunity is complete holiness in our choice of union with Him. Prayer: I am drawn, Lord, to Your way of righteousness that is so apart from anything the world can offer. I embrace Your holiness with all my heart and look forward to responding with joyful obedience to every writing of Your ways on my heart. Let Your will be done in and through me for Your glory. Declarations: In choosing to walk in newness of resurrection life in Christ, I am graced to live on His side of righteousness from a heart set apart unto Him. He has written His ways on my heart and in choosing Him I am empowered to live them. I am united with Him alone and am separated completely from unbelieving and opposing sides. To be for Him is to serve Him and His body with all my heart, and I do so with great joy and gladness. My determined purpose is only to grow hotter in my passion for this union, eliminating any possibility of separation from His side. When my Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, appears, I will have been kept flawless on His side.