Luke 11:23
Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
You've probably heard this phrase from someone demanding your support, "Well, if you're not for me then you're against me!" I've been on the receiving side of that more than I'd like to admit. Most of us when we are trying to 'sell an idea' feel this way but don't verbalize it. Then when your idea doesn't fly with the group, then you're left feeling pretty upset or not worth much. That's usually not really the case, but you do feel a bit hurt.
In today's reading, Jesus takes a different approach using the same concept, but with greater consequences. Jesus talks about Satan and evil spirits looking for wayward people. We are taught that we should always follow Jesus in all matters. If we have Christ in our heart, we need not worry about these spirits. But when we begin entertaining sinful thoughts or activities that the world sees as attractive but which draw us from Christ, then we fall into a trap. We have to stay true to Christ and avoid the near temptations of sin. Jesus, in this instance, deals in absolutes. You're either in or your out. In a poker game, when it's just you or another holding the cards, eventually someone makes the call. You either fold or show your hand. You either stay in the game or fold. In the game of eternal life, you're either in with Jesus or out. What's your call?
