In or Out?

Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. (Luke 11:14-23 ESV). I find it interesting that churches tend to fill up whenever there is a great crisis. Earthquakes, devastating hurricanes, terrorist attacks all prompt many to seek comfort and protection from a church. It is mistaken trust in some ways to believe that the solution to our problem can be found by “doing the right things.” In fact, you will be grossly disappointed if your motivation for coming to God is to escape danger. God does not promise that we’ll escape danger or even death. Whether it’s a terrorist attack or a heart attack, whether it’s a plane crash or a car crash, we will all face death.

It must be a relationship that we enter into with Him. As we come to the Lord with a spirit of repentance that acknowledges how much we have been “out” with God, we can then begin to enjoy the peace of being “in” with Him. That’s how we can be ready for whatever may happen in our lives. It will make it possible to live for today. You will never be disappointed if you will take advantage of this opportune time to come to Him. It may seem so counter intuitive, but being out with the world and in with God makes us truly “in.” Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote it this way: The foolish fears of what might pass I cast them all away Among the clover-scented grass, Among the new-mown hay, Among the hushing of the corn, Where drowsy poppies nod, Where ill thoughts die and good are born — Out in the fields with God. So what’s it going to be? Are you with God or not?