What Camp are you in?

Mark 7:31-37

 Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis.   And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him.    And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue.    And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”   And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.   And Jesus charged them to tell no one.  But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it.   And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well.  He even makes the deaf hear, and the mute speak.”

Do you and do I proclaim as the people of the region of Decapolis have done that Jesus has done all things well for you?  If not, why, could it be you have the same attitude of unbelief as the people who came to Jairus’ home, because they loved this leader of the synagogue, and had heard his daughter was dead?  And do you recall Jesus had to put them outside of the house because of their unbelief, for faith does not work where there is unbelief.

Or maybe you are in the camp of the religious who believe in God but are not expecting Him to show up, you are a good person, you try to do what is right, but you're like the people of Nazareth.  You are faithful to your church, but they have never seen anything-miraculous take place, and you are not expecting anything to change.  Jesus is not personal to you He more of a concept, or figure of what is right and holy.  You read these accounts, and you call them stories, or maybe fables.  You would never voice your beliefs, but to you they are just myths and legends, and when things happen as Jesus said they would; as bad things happen to good people.  Do you recall it's written in John’s gospel 16:33,  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

For 27 years I was in the group above, I believed that Jesus was born of a virgin, that He was the Son of God, and I had no doubt about God the Father or the Holy Spirit, but I would not trust Him with my life.  What group do you find yourself in?

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice