Gathered Or Scattered?

by Brian Farrell⁽²³⁴⁾ Red Star

http://www.ph16.com

" ... he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad (Jesus, Matt. 12:30). "

This is a much needed warning, but like the natural principle of gravity, I think it's a spiritual principle, a serious but simple statement of truth that is fundamental and always true for both non Christian and Christian alike.

Jesus made this statement in the context of saying that every sin can be forgiven a person except the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is simply the rejection of the truth when the Holy Spirit of God reveals to a person that they are a sinner separated from a Holy, Perfect God and that Jesus is from God and is the only way to be made right with God. The rejection of Christ is the rejection of the Holy Spirit of God, who is called also the Spirit of Truth. To reject truth is to live in a lie. What is left for someone that is living a lie? Nothing but further deterioration of and separation from the truth. All sin will be forgiven a person through faith in the work of Jesus on the cross. He died for everyone's sin there, and through our repentance from sin and receiving Him as Lord and Savior, we are saved from the judgment of God on all of our sin- it's been laid on Jesus. Our faith in Him gathers us to Him. So, the only thing that cannot be forgiven then is the rejection of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

All that do not gather to Him scatter abroad. The greek word translated " scatter abroad " means to be scattered. To be scattered means to be thrown in various random directions. In this context, it means to be thrown farther and farther from the truth of God into any random direction in life, into all sorts of directions and as many directions imaginable. Really just about anywhere but the full and complete truth of Jesus Christ- who He is and what He did for us on the cross.

And don't we see that in the world? Some say there are many roads to God. There are many scatterings of religious or spiritual or anti spiritual or non spiritual teaching that claim to be true. But there is only one true reality. How can reality be any other way? It is either as Jesus said or it is not. Jesus said, " I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to God except through Me. "

As a Christian, I have experienced this scattering in my life, as well. Even though I received Christ at an early age, I rejected and missed so many lessons that His word teaches. In so doing, I spent most of my adult life scattered in many different directions, though saved by grace. But, His grace has brought me back to Him, to Jesus, who is the express image and heart of the one and true living God. In Jesus alone are found all wisdom and knowledge. And God is always present in our lives, always as close to us as our own lips, which are always in desperate need of crying out to Him. As Christians then too, not just in our state of deception before we receive Jesus, we need to stay gathered close to our Good Shepherd. We need to stay close to Him in prayer and in His word every day. We need to earnestly seek Him out moment to moment, every day. We need to keep asking, keep seeking and keep knocking until we are one with His perfect will every day, until we have victory, until we are one with the Father as Jesus prayed. Anything less than that sends us out scattered. Oh, Lord, let us be deathly afraid of being scattered away from you. It brings such unnecessary pain and trouble when we are away from you and the truth. Oh, Lord, bring us back to you when we are scattered.

Article submitted Monday, March 22, 2010 & read 295 times.

Please log in to leave your comments.

» left by Teresa^(1,654) (2 years 55 days ago.)

Hi Brian, as usual a wonderful message that turns our eyes inward and upward. It is not enough to profess, our lives must be about gathering. Blessings to you, thank you for this message. Timely for this season when many look to the Lord. Prayerfully, this word will reach those who need to step into a true, living and breathing relationship with our Lord and Savior. Keep sharing the good Word. Teresa

» left by Brian Farrell⁽²³⁴⁾ (2 years 55 days ago.)

Thanks Teresa. Lord, bless Teresa! I love what you said, "our lives must be about gathering." As Christians, we are going to spend eternity with Jesus, why not start now! When we feel flustered, when we feel scattered, Holy Spirit remind us to gather to Jesus!

» left by Marijo Phelps⁽¹⁸⁰⁾ (2 years 49 days ago.)

Oh, Brian - great words here. And someone once told me if you were worried about having blasphemed the Holy Spirit then, by definition, you haven't (because of your tenderness and concern even if you aren't yet saved - why wait though?) Thanks for writing this! Marijo

» left by Brian Farrell⁽²³⁴⁾ (2 years 48 days ago.)

Thanks Marijo! May the Lord richly bless you over this wonderous time of the year!

We appreciate your comments!

11-2-0-0-3-ADSO

Most Recent