Choosing Sides

Pepsi or Coke?  McDonalds or Wendy’s?  Republican or Democrat?  Ford or Chevy?  We like to chose sides.  We like our brand.  We even like to evangelize our brand.   Sometimes we’ll even lose friends over it – intentionally or unintentionally.   I’ve been reading Joshua and there is a great lesson in there for all of us.  Right before the battle of Jericho, Joshua is alone and meets the Commander of the Lord’s Army (quite possibly Jesus) and asks an interesting question:

Are you for us or for our enemies?

In other words whose side are you on?  Do you like Pepsi or Coke?  Are you for Obama’s Health Care Reform or not?   Do you buy American or foreign cars?  Are you Baptist or Non-Denominational?  Do you prefer traditional worship or contemporary?

Look what Jesus says:

“Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.”

If you are a Christ follower – there is no choosing sides.  You were drafted into the Army of the Lord and you have a war to fight – a mission to accomplish – a battle to win.  Our goal must always be to stay on task and be focused on the only thing that matters – winning the war for souls.

We let so many things distract us from our mission.  Choosing sides is a distraction.  Getting dragged into debates about meaningless things like worship styles, bible versions, social agendas force us to choose sides.  When we chose sides we lose the war effort.  Our goal isnt to chose sides – its to get in the battle and win the war.   In the early church they had the same problem.  The church at Corinth had chosen sides – I follow Peter.  I follow Apollos.  Paul said “who freaking cares!“  Then he called them back to their mission in Christ.

Lets stop choosing sides and get on mission.  When Joshua got it he conquered a city just by walking in circles!  Winning the war for Christ is really that easy.  So, whose side are you on?