Acts 14:1-4
Have you ever had to choose a side before? It can be an agonizing decision. I read that during the American Civil War, complete families were divided. With some family members fighting for the South and others fighting for the North. That put them at an unenviable decision, where brother was fighting against brother and father was fighting against son.
When Paul and Barnabas were preaching at Iconium, the popular opinion of the city became split as to who the city would support. Half the city was siding with the Apostles, and the other half was siding with the Jews, and the city was divided.
(Act 14:4) But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
The Gospel by its very nature has a polarizing effect. It divides. With most of the world crying for unity, people are still dividing over the gospel. And it has to be that way. Light cannot coincide with darkness, nor good with evil. In fact Jesus made some very interesting statements in Mt. 10.
(Mat 10:34-39) Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Here is the Prince of Peace, claiming he came not to earth to send peace!
Jesus demands a decision, it is impossible to remain neutral when it comes to the Son of God. By putting off a decision, we have made our decision.
Will you choose Christ today?
Ryan King is pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Westville.