Mark 3:22-26 And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He has Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casts he out devils.… I. THOSE WHO ARE NOT CHRIST'S FRIENDS ARE TO BE ESTEEMED HIS FOES: "He that is not with Me is against Me" (Matthew 12:30). 1. The issue is clear. Our Lord begins with saying that oven Beelzebub would fall if he suffered his kingdom to be divided against itself. 2. The decision must be clear. 3. If anyone refuses this issue, and defers this decision, it must be because he is not Christ's friend, but His foe. One would think that human hearts would welcome such an offer, and would stand to it with a joyous acceptance unfalteringly to the end. Alexander the Great was once asked how it was that he had conquered the world; and he answered, "By not wavering." If men had only held the faith as Jesus has held His covenant, the whole world would have been converted long ago. II. THOSE WHO ARE NOT CHRIST'S FOES ARE HIS FRIENDS; So He says: "He that is not against us is on our part" (Mark 9:40). III. The enemies of Christ are EVIDENCED BY THEIR ENMITY. At first sight this would seem to be a truism: let us see. 1. An enemy of Christ hates the notion of God's being. 2. An enemy of Christ hates the notion of God's character. Holiness is the most unpopular of all the Divine attributes. 3. An enemy of Christ hates the notion of God's law. It perplexes, restrains, and condemns him. 4. An enemy of Christ hates the notion of God's plan of redemption. He is not willing to admit his need, and take his pardon as a lost sinner. 5. An enemy of Christ hates the notion of God's service. 6. An enemy of Christ hates the notion of God's sovereignty. IV. The friends of Christ are EVIDENCED BY THEIR OBEDIENCE — "Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." This wonderful verse (John 15:14) will bear an analysis. — 1. Obedience to Christ will be active in its nature. The word here is not feel, but "do." 2. Obedience to Christ will be universal in its reach. 3. Obedience to Christ will be submissive in its temper. 4. Obedience to Christ will be affectionate in its spirit. An old divine says "the obedience of the heart is the heart of obedience." V. IT IS WISE FOE ALL IMMORTAL BEINGS TO SETTLE AT ONCE WHETHER THEY ARE FRIENDS OR ENEMIES OF JESUS CHRIST. 1. No neutrality is permitted during these war times in the universe. No negative moral state is possible before God. 2. Those who teach truth must urge immediate decision on all around them. 3. Any enemy of Christ can become a friend in an instant, if he will. (C. S. Robinson, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. |
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