BORDER CHRISTIANS: To Whom Do They Belong?

“No one can serve two masters … ”

Matthew 6:24 (also Luke 16:13)

The next time you look at a map notice the lines between the countries? Every map has them; they divide one state or country from another. They’re called “borders.”

In fact, every nation on earth has borders, real ones. Without borders no one would know where one nation began and another ended. A border lets us and others know where we’re standing … in this land or in that land. You can’t stand on a border; you’re either in one land or in the other or straddling the line … period.

Does the border belong to either country? Does the border between the Canada and USA belong to Canada or the United States? Does any one know?

Sadly, many Christians are like borders today, every church has them. I call them “Border Christians”; no one knows to whom they belong! They believe they can keep one foot in heaven and one foot on earth … “just in case.” Is that possible?

Not according to the Bible. The Lord Himself said, “No one can serve two masters … .” I don’t think He would mind me paraphrasing that: “No one can be standing in heaven and in earth at the same time.”

Christianity, Illustrations, Religion

TRADITIONALISM: We've always done it that way here!

PROTECTION OR PREVENTION: [Colossians 2:8]

"The Williams Fire" caught us by surprise. Small fires in the San Gabriel Mountains are common for September in years of drought; but 24 hours after it started, what began as a 20-acre brush fire had quickly become a full-fledged problem … an out of control forest fire, consuming hundreds of acres at a gulp.

On the first day, I arrived home at dusk and went to an area to join neighbors watch the flames consume our beautiful mountains. We watched together for about an hour, waxing eloquently on our knowledge of fires, and trading lies about "the fire of '83." When the sun began to set over the Los Angeles skyline, we all commented on how the smoke had turned the sun burning red. I made a big deal about how beautiful it was.

As the sun began to slide behind the horizon, I began to have difficulty focusing on anything but the biggest flames. I turned to the lady on the right to mention this, only to see a dark grey face staring back at me. I then realized I was still wearing my sunglasses.

The old King James translators had a way with words; in 1 Corinthians 13:12 they have Paul informing the folks in Corinth that "now we see through a glass darkly." Their choice of words came alive for me when I realized I was still wearing my shades after dark.

There is another truth hidden in this experience: tradition, when used correctly, will prevent churches and denominations from moving critical boundaries, destroying key foundations, and distracting members from mission; tradition, when used incorrectly, obliterates boundaries, weakens structures, and obscures vision. Slowly, the Son-light slips below the collective horizon, what is supposed to be seen “dimly” is now seen not at all. So too with my cool shades.

DISCERNMENT: It's all about using common sense!

FOLLOW THE BOUNCING BALL: [Acts: 17:11]

Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

When I was a teen ... way back before the flood ... me and my friend Methuselah would go to the movies together. During the intermission ... for those of you under fifty, an intermission was a break between movies ... the theaters showed newsreels, cartoons, and commercials for their concession stand.

Some of the cartoons and commercials had lyrics to songs scrolling across the bottom of the screen, a pong ball bounced from note to note acting as a surrogate conductor, leading all of us in singing the silly little ditties.

What amazed me was how many of us actually sang; like little robots we joined in on the first bounce, not realizing we had a choice.

Many in the Church today are like those of us who responded without realizing we had minds of our own ... we were naive and trusting.

I'm not suggesting Christians should not trust their leader's teachings, but they are naive and should be discerning.

HELL - No, not the one on earth!

ANOTHER GULF WAR! [Luke 16:19-31; Bosom of Abraham, Boundaries, Sheol, Signs]

In March of 1995, two American businessmen crossed the border between Iraq and Kuwait. Though they claimed they didn’t know the border was there … or that they might be arrested … they were arrested.

The border (the one they did not know about) was clearly marked by a continuous, uninterrupted ditch, ten feet deep and ten feet wide with a 15 foot berm on one side. Signs were also posted at several intervals, in several languages.

While stewing in an Iraqi prison, they pleaded for help from the outside. They implored those on the other side of the border they crossed to come to their aid. Help finally came; they were released and sent home.

Similarly, ignoring the gulf between himself and God, the rich man went about his business, disregarding the signs which clearly warned of the danger.

When the time came to pay the Piper, he claimed he didn’t know he could be imprisoned for all eternity, that it was a mistake that he hadn’t understood. He pleaded for assistance from the other side. And so, too, many will come on that same day, saying, “Lord! Lord!”


DEATH AND DARKNESS! [Luke 16:19-31; Other topics - Damnation, Darkness, Death, Eternity, Hopelessness, Perdition]

Carol Fuller was a 72-year-old grandmother living alone in West Hollywood in 1995. During a home invasion robbery she was locked in a closet, her home was ransacked and her car was stolen. All of this took place without anyone knowing. But the worst part followed.

Days later, investigators found her dead in the closet, her fingers worn literally to the bone, trying to claw her way out.

Sadly, Carol Fuller left this world experiencing much the same horror many will experience for the rest of eternity. Try as they might, claw as they might, they will only have death and darkness as their companion.

God (Decree of)

IF IT AIN’T WHERE YOU WANT IT, MOVE IT!
Jeremiah 5:22 [Omnipotence, Sovereignty]

A neighbor of mine in the mountains above Santa Cruz, California, used to ignore our boundaries and use everyone’s property like it was his own.

Man can neither create or stop the weather, yet man is far more troublesome and unruly than the worst ocean tempest nature can send us.

The sea obediently keeps its boundaries. Is it the sea’s obedience or the belt of sand which stops it from overwhelming the shore? Mighty as it is, the sea heeds an unheard tongue, remaining in its place … it hears and obeys. The sand is simply a line drawn by God; though raging with storm, the earth’s oceans respect that voice. And the sea, with never-ending constancy obeys the laws of God and nature.

Man neither comes nor goes at His command, but sullenly prefers to do his own thing.

Every molecule of water feels the power of law, and yields or moves at once.

Self-willed man, on the other hand, shakes his fist at heaven and burdens the earth with his unrighteousness.

What a wonder it would be for man to conformed to God’s will; think of the awesome power of all men complying to even infinitely smallest degree?