Matthew 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathers not with me scatters abroad. The principle illustrated is the impossibility of a state of neutrality in the service of Christ: illustrations are fetched first from the battlefield — "He that is not with Me," etc. And, secondly, from the harvest-field — "He that gathereth not," etc. The immediate occasion of the text was the blasphemous imputation of the Pharisees, that Jesus cast out devils by Beelzebub. In reply our Lord appeals to reason Every kingdom divided against itself, etc. He also appeals to the acknowledged duct. Thus He must be the stronger. I. MAKE A PERSONAL APPLICATION OF THE SUBJECT. In the battlefield of life, whose side have you chosen? In the great harvest-field of the world, whose interests are you serving? 1. The battlefield is the world. We are soldiers. Are we fighting? Are we clad in armour? 2. The harvest-field. Are you gathering or wasting? II. MAKE A NATIONAL APPLICATION OF THE SUBJECT. Has England gathered with Christ, or scattered? (C. R. Alford, M. A.) I. THAT THOSE WHO ARE NOT WITH CHRIST IN DISCIPLESHIP AND IN THE PROFESSION OF FAITH ARE AGAINST CHRIST, AS THE DISCIPLES OF ANOTHER MASTER, AND IN THE DISOBEDIENCE OF UNBELIEF. II. THOSE WHO ARE NOT WITH CHRIST IN THE PURPOSE AND DESIGN OF HIS DEATH, ARE AGAINST CHRIST IN DEFEATING THE PURPOSE OF HIS DEATH (1) The first purpose was to make an atonement for our sins; (2) To give repentance and pardon to guilty men; (3) To make meet for the glory of heaven. We can be with Christ by enjoyment and participation.We are against Christ by defeating the purpose of His death. (1) By rejecting it altogether in a spirit of infidelity; (2) By embracing a system which does not contain any of its grand principles; (3) By careless unconcern. III. THOSE WHO ARE NOT WITH CHRIST IN THE AFFECTIONS OF THE HEART, ARE AGAINST HIM IN ITS ENMITIES AND IN ITS INDIFFERENCE. To love Christ is an essential of Christianity; we may be against Christ by enmity or indifference. IV. THOSE WHO ARE NOT WITH CHRIST IN GATHERING, ARE AGAINST HIM IN SCATTERING ABROAD. Neutrality here is opposition. (J. Dixon.) Parallel Verses KJV: He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.WEB: "He who is not with me is against me, and he who doesn't gather with me, scatters. |
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