Joel M Bradshaw

23Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.–Luke 11

Jesus had just cast out a demon. And some accused Him of having the power to drive out demons because he actually belonged to Team Satan. Jesus framed the matter with an either/or. Satan is driven out by one more powerful than him. Either you are on Team Jesus or are on another team? If you feel more comfortable calling it Team Self, but the Self is working against Jesus, for it doesn’t want to be denied. Following Jesus means denying yourself (Luke 9:23).

In the Book of Revelation, there are two teams. One team is marked by the Beast (14:9) and the other is sealed by God (7:4). There is no third team, no fence sitting, and no cafeteria buffet-approach to one’s allegiance. The eternal destiny of the ones belonging to God is to dwell with God (21:3). The eternal destiny of the ones belonging to Satan is to burn with him in a lake of fire (20:15).

Now let’s ponder 3 verses together:

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. (Romans 6:11-13)

Your allegiance is only to one team. If you are not on Team Jesus you are against Team Jesus. What are the parts of you that are offered? I’ll list them from inner to outer: thoughts, feelings, motivations, convictions, attitudes, words, and actions.

I played a year of college football. A team is recognized by the coach it follows and the uniform it wears. You wear the uniform of how you offer those parts of your being to the purpose of your coach. And you remain intentional about the things that matter most to you. Heart check time!–JMB