ON OUR PART

Let's stop and discuss this Christians United meaning of if God is for us who can stand against us for a moment. Whoever is not against us is for us and on our part. Let's compare this to the world today. We have Christians of all kinds. Many different denominations are Christians. Some go to church, others don't. Some are evangelists who have huge ministries. Some are quiet folks who aren't outgoing, but are private people who love the Lord. Some are Mother Theresa types, missionaries, ministers, nuns, monks, and on and on and on.

Some are charismatic, some pray silently. We're on the same team. We cheer one another on. If you're on the other side, you may see us fall sometimes, but only a worm is free from the worry of stumble. If we fall, we get back up. Sometimes one of our teammates gives us a hand.

There are a lot of people who are skeptical about Christianity. They think that Christians are saying that if you become a Christian, your life will be perfect. There isn't a Christian that ever lived that can claim such a thing. Did you read the last paragraph? We fall! We get up. Now, here's the clincher. When we acknowledge our sin (fall) to God and don't hide it - and when we confess it to the Lord, we're forgiven! Only one string attached ... We must be sorry. That comes from a Psalm of David by the way, Psalms 32:5.

Now we've gotten off the beaten Christians United voyage into the meaning of if God is for us who can stand against us path just a little, so let's get back to this "Whoever is not against us is for us is on our part" stuff. Do you think it matters to Jesus if you go to this Christian church or that one, or if passing along inspirational writings through e-mail is church to you, if you sing loudly or softly or off key from the hymnal or if you put on your headphones and whistle along to a modern Christian tune.

It doesn't matter what your recipe is for casting out devils, or anything else you do from the goodness of your heart is, as long as you do it in Jesus’ name, you've got the key ingredient and that's what counts. That puts you on the "for us" side! The last thing Jesus wanted ... Was for His team to have competition among themselves. DIVISION... We're all on the same Christians United team, so let's work together!

Jesus said, Woe to the world because of offences! For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! What does that mean? It means sorrow will come to the world because of harmful events, and that bad things will happen, but the man who causes those events will have the worst sorrow of all.

Whew! Time for a lil who can stand against us who is on our part field trip ... It's a good thing that Jesus spoke in parables, isn't it?! We learned about this in an earlier story, remember? Of course He doesn't want us to cut off our hands or feet, but to cut off the evil that causes them to perform mischief. He was thinking of His Father's children when He said this.

Remember, the children of the Lord that we've been talking about? In other words, we are all His little children and whoever harms any of us in any way is in deep trouble. I'd call a millstone around someone's neck and thrown into the bottom of the sea ... Deep trouble.

Jesus emphasized a number of times that those who offend His children will end up where the fire is never quenched and the worm never dies. That's a pretty gruesome picture that Jesus painted. Then He said a very interesting thing for those of you who have always wondered about whether Angels are real or not.

Jesus said, (concerning God's children) Be careful that you never harm one of these little ones, because I tell you, that in Heaven their Angels always look upon the face of my Father. So, that not only clarifies that there ARE Angels, but that each of us HAS an Angel, which are known as Guardian Angels. God does love His children and He gave us Angels to protect us because we're so precious to Him.

Well, now you've got another identity to add to your persona ... Christians United team player! Don't forget, even though we may have to wear many hats as a Christian, that each of us has a specific purpose that God intended for us, and no matter what that purpose is, without that one part, the team will suffer. Just like a missing ingredient in a recipe. The ingredient alone may be disgusting to you ... But, when added to the entire recipe ... It becomes perfect.

Fear not what some other Christian is doing and how they are doing it. If God is for us who can stand against us. For he who is not against us is on our part as one member of the complete Body of Christ. This Christian may just have a different administration, yet called by the same God. Let God judge as He knows the heart of man. Because the odd man (Or woman) out, could be you that is being whispered against.

Glad you're part of the team! Always remember ... Whoever is not against us is for us and on our part. Who can stand against us because when you have Christians united ... They will never be divided.