Tag Archives: Unbelief

Trying to Stay on the Fence

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They loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. John 12:43 ESV1

Read John 12:42-50

Sitting on the fence is a common English idiom to describe the actions or thoughts of one who is indecisive or refuses to choose between two opposing sides. This inability to decide is usually due to a lack of courage. When one weighs the options and the potential losses involved in making a firm commitment to either side, sitting on the fence often seems like the safest place. However, assumptions often do not agree with reality.

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Cheering You Down the Narrow Way

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Isaiah said these things because he saw His glory and spoke of Him. John 12:41 ESV1

Read John 12:37-41

I stole the title for this article from the line my friend, Nathan,2 uses to end many of his correspondences. This message is reminiscent of Jesus’ direction:

“‘Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few’” (Matthew 7:13-14).

My friend’s often-used closing remark is a reminder but it is also a reassurance. Anyone who enters the Narrow Gate onto the Road to Jesus’ Kingdom will find that the Way contains some significantly challenging sections. Therefore, those who travel this Road need some cheering on along the way. May this article encourage you to continue on the Hard Way, particularly if you find yourself on an incredibly difficult section of the Road.

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The Bigger Picture

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There was a priest named Zechariah … He had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.   Luke 1:5-7 ESV1

Read Luke 1:5-25 & 57-80

Zechariah was a priest. He had spent his life serving God. He was from a family of priests who had served the LORD for generations. His wife, Elizabeth, also came from a family of priests who honored God and ministered to His people. They “were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But (emphasis mine) they had no child” (Luke 1:6-7a). Though they were doing everything right, something was not right in their lives. Their prayers for the thing they wanted most weren’t being answered.

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