No Middle Ground

We expend a lot of effort seeking balance in our lives.  No one wants to be branded a "right" or "left" wing extremist.  It seems like the demands of the world for everyone to conform is being heightened to levels unheard of in times past.  With the ever-changing landscape of political correctness, the influence of media, and the growing power of minorities to influence and transform the majority, the middle ground is becoming increasingly narrow.  It used to be that both conservatives and liberals shared some common ground.  That ground is becoming more and more scarce as traditional beliefs based upon biblical morals continuously erodes in decay.

There is one questions that has never had middle ground:  is Jesus God?  This fundamental doctrine of Christianity has only a "yes" or "no" answer.  It is impossible to "ride the fence" on this point because it is sharper than an obsidian knife.  Jesus made many claims of deity.  Jesus claimed to forgive sins, something only God can do (Mark 2:1-12).  The Jewish leaders condemned Him because of this point.  John 5:18 says, "Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God."  Jesus was a man who was also God or He was among the worst liars.  He cannot be both a good teacher and a chronic liar.  If Jesus is truly God, then He is completely holy and good.  Jesus proved His power through His resurrection from the dead and ascension to the Father in heaven.  Because He is the righteous Lamb of God, death could not hold Him.

There are proofs of Christ's divinity in both the New and Old Testaments.  The Bible teaches that God the Father is a spirit whom no man has seen at any time.  Yet God sent the Son Jesus as the Saviour of the world to seek and save the lost.  God the Father cannot bleed because He is not flesh.  Jesus being God is the only way to reconcile verses like Acts 20:28 which reads, "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood."  Jesus shed His blood for the church which is His body of which He is the Head (Eph. 4:15).

When Jesus was pierced by nails, thorns, and a spear on the cross, John 19:36-37 states, "For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, "Not one of His bones shall be broken." ³⁷ And again another Scripture says, "They shall look on Him whom they pierced."  John was an eyewitness of Christ's crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension.  Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the scripture to which he refers is found in the Old Testament book of Zechariah 12:10:  "And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn."  In context, God the Father is speaking through the prophet Zechariah.  Notice how it says of the Jews and inhabitants of Jerusalem:  "They will look on Me whom they pierced."  If God was only revealed to man as a spirit, how could He be pierced?  How could His blood be shed?  The fact is this:  God has revealed Himself to man as God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son who became flesh, and the Holy Spirit sent to indwell all believers after Christ ascended into heaven.

There is no middle ground concerning the deity of Jesus Christ.  Either He is God, or He is an impostor.  Everyone must make their decision and live accordingly.  Jesus says in John 14:6-7, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. ⁷ "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him."  Praise God for this marvelous truth!  There is salvation to all who repent and believe in Christ.  After Peter performed a miracle by God's power, he told those who looked on in amazement in Acts 4:10-12, "...let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. ¹¹ This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' ¹² Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Where do you stand?  Choose this day whom you will serve.  As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD Jesus Christ!