Whose Side Are You On? (Santosh Poonen)

When Satan sees that we are serious about discipleship and fellowship, he will try to distract us by getting us to quarrel with someone (II Timothy 2:23-24). The world can be divided into two categories of people: sleepers in darkness, and warriors in the light. When Joshua asked the angel of the Lord if he was for him or against him, the angel replied, “No” — he was not on either side, but on God’s side. (Joshua 5:13-15). The church is built through prophecy (I Corinthians 14:3-4). Prophecy is fueled by love (I Corinthians 8:1). True love is to lay down your Self (John 15:13). Instead of quarreling, we are instructed to: have a kindly disposition, with courtesy and gentleness; be patient and forbearing, willing to suffer wrong; make it your goal to rescue those held captive by the devil (II Timothy 2:24-26). Be a lamb in the earthly realm, who is a lion in the spiritual realm! Will you live as one who’s been forgiven? Will you walk with joy in knowing your debts are paid, that your name is clear before your Father, and that you are His child and will not be afraid? Will you, so greatly pardoned, forgive your brother? Will you the law of love gladly obey? Will you live as one who’s learned compassion? Having been so loved, will you risk loving too? Do you know how fear builds walls instead of bridges? Will you dare to see another’s point of view? And when relationships demand commitment, will you be there to care and follow through? Will you let God feed a hungry world through you?