"His disciples said, "Yes, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure of speech! Now we know that you know all things, …by this we believe that you came from God.' Jesus answered them, 'Do you now believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone.'” (John 16:29-32)
To “believe in Jesus” is no small matter. Real believing is unattached to what is trending, the impulses of a fickle crowd, the vacillating mob, those in servitude to their whims. And believing is not merely to assert what is true. Believing is signing on, representing, a blood oath, betting everything…all in: life, reputation and fortune.
It hazards specificity. That is to say, it is THIS and not THAT…to the exclusion of other options. A line in the sand with no backdoor, planting a flag, staking a claim and burrowing in. It is do or die come heartbreak, hell or high water. It is the thick blood of family, eye of the tiger, and colors that don’t run.
Unbelief is a sinking ship. It’s going down. Cowardice, unbelief, evil… these are temporary things. Disassociate yourself. They have no place at the table. They are not everlasting and the clock is ticking. An ignoble history with no inheritance in the future and no place in the new kingdom. These things were an unfortunate interruption to the flow of light and life. A tumor. A cancer to be cut off. Eventually they will be denied any more space and any more time. Distance yourself. Don’t fly that flag. Drop those colors.
This is no just-in-case item for the “go bag”. The love of the Father for you is tangible, real and not without effect. It should give you pause, for the offer of light and life is consequential. Receive it or do not. Middle ground is quicksand. Not a matter of tricks or taste, or one-among-many choices. It is a matter of clarity: day or night - darkness or light – death or life. This is no invitation to weekend getaways where we all wear the same t-shirt. This is for keeps. No t-shirt, but a covenant ring, because vows are exchanged…for better or for worse. It is family. It is belonging. It is home. It’s forever. It is love.
“Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!” (John 16:32,33)