Who is on the Lord’s side?
Who is on the Lord’s side
I. The conflict, and which is the Lord’s side. The commands of God versus self-pleasing. Holiness and right, against sin and oppression.
II. The Lord’s friends, and what they must do.
1. They must own their allegiance openly (Exodus 32:29).
2. They should come out and rally to the standard. We do this by open union with the Church, by boldly rebuking sin, by testifying for truth, by not conforming to the world, and by conforming to Christ our Lord (2 Corinthians 8:5).
3. They must be willing to be in a minority.
4. They must become aggressive (Exodus 32:27).
5. Their zeal must overcome nature’s ties (Deuteronomy 33:9).
6. They must do what they are bidden (Exodus 32:28).
III. The Lord’s host and its encouragements.
1. Their cause is that of right and truth.
2. It is God’s cause.
3. Christ Himself is our Captain.
4. The angels are with us.
5. Thousands of the best of men have been on this side (Hebrews 12:1).
6. It is the side of conscience and of a clean heart.
7. It is that side of the warfare which ends in heaven and victory.
IV. The question of the text, and proposals for enlistment. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Who is on the Lord’s side?
I. This is a divine question. “If any man love not the Lord Jesus,” etc.
II. A spiritual question. Are we new men in Christ Jesus by the new birth?
III. A crisis question. Truth cannot be divided; conduct cannot have two hearts.
IV. A vital question. Treason is in God’s government, what it is everywhere, a capital crime.
V. A determinate question. Ithuriel’s spear disclosed whatever it touched. This inquiry settles fixedly the state of each man for the eternity he is to enter.
VI. An experimental question.
1. There are only two sides ever to be found.
2. There is great comfort in being on the right side.
3. It is unsatisfactory, profitless, and perilous to be upon the wrong side. The soul will rest nowhere there. There will come no possible advantage from rebellion; danger and destruction are directly in the path of one who lifts himself against God.
4. Any one can know which side he is on, if he truly desires it. (C. S. Robinson, D. D.)
On which side are you?
I. Decision.
1. It is “a decision upon the most sublime and important theme which can ever come under a man’s notice. God and Satan, truth and falsehood, holiness and sin.
2. This decision, so important and weighty, should be made as early as possible. When Agesilaus came to the borders of Macedon he sent the laconic message, “As friends or as enemies?” The answer was, “We must stop awhile, and take advice.” His reply was, “While you advise, we march.” Wait not. Every hour renders it more likely that you will make a foolish choice.
3. This is a decision of the greatest importance, for it will influence every subsequent decision throughout life. True religion gives a tincture to everything with which the man comes in contact.
4. As to this decision there ought to be no possible difficulty. A man should decide for God, since He is his Creator, Redeemer, Preserver.
5. This decision involves but one alternative. There is no synagogue of the undecided on earth, and no purgatory of middle men in the unseen world.
II. The avowal. “Let him come unto me.” “For God--to me.”
1. A coming out from amongst the idolaters. Do not conceal your religion.
2. They were to come to the leader. Follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth.
3. Those who were to come to Moses were, of course, to come to one another. Do not birds of a feather flock together? If God has made you birds of paradise, hasten to fly like doves to your windows.
III. Consecration.
1. Obey God’s will
2. Serve God actively and energetically.
3. Do this at all hazards and costs. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Only two sides
1. To be on the Lord’s side is, in the first place, to put your whole weight on Christ Jesus as your personal Saviour.
2. To be on the Lord’s side is publicly to profess Him.
3. To be on the Lord’s side you must consecrate your life to Him.
4. Reasons for being on the Lord’s side.
(1) It is the happy side.
(2) It is the safe side. (T. De Witt Talmage.)
Religious decision
We would enforce upon you the importance of coming to a determinate and decided judgment on the great business of religion. Examine its claims: if they be spurious or unfounded, then reject them; but if they be true, if they agree with certain powers and feelings of your mind, then give to religion the attention its importance demands. Do not play with so keen a weapon; do not trifle on the most solemn of all subjects. Decision of character is a highly valuable quality of mind. It gives to its possessor great advantages over others in the ordinary affairs of life. This quality of mind is needed in proportion to the difficulties which obstruct the attainment of any end.
I. We address ourselves to those who vacillate between God and the world, between religion and irreligion. There is a class, and a numerous class of men, especially in our own enlightened country, who may be considered in this condition.
II. To those who entertain a scriptural hope of salvation, but have not made a public avowal of their faith. This backwardness to associate with the professing people of God results from various causes. In some it is the effect of mistaken views of what is required in order to the fellowship of the Church. In other men, this backwardness publicly to acknowledge the Saviour is the effect of a very lax and unscriptural view of what religion requires. They suppose that if their hearts are right with God it is not at all necessary that they should make a public profession.
III. The language of Moses is applicable to those who have made a profession of religion. That many Christians are open to a charge of compromising their principles cannot be doubted by any who are conversant with the transactions of daily life. (S. Summers.)
Duty of being on the Lord’s side
I. What is implied by being on the Lord’s side.
1. On the side of His truth.
2. On the side of His character.
3. On the side of His gospel.
4. On the side of His law.
5. On the side of His honour.
II. Why we ought all to be on the Lord’s side.
1. The first reason which I shall offer why we ought all to be on the Lord’s side is, that it is the side of truth and righteousness.
2. As another reason why you ought to be on the Lord’s side, let me beseech you to consider seriously on what side you are if you are not on His.
3. Consider, further, why you ought to be on the Lord’s side, how much the Lord has done for you.
4. Another reason why we ought to be on the Lord’s side is, that it is the side of happiness.
5. Further: let me entreat those who are not yet on the Lord’s side to consider that they have not one reasonable plea for being on the side of Satan. (Preacher’s Treasury.)
Decision of character
I. The text clearly implies a solemn fact, that there is a side in antagonism to the Lord’s--that there are interests, that there are opinions, that there are principles, that there are lives that are in diametrical opposition to the side of God, and truth, and of righteousness. No reflective mind can survey our humanity without coming to this conviction: Surely all this unrighteousness, all this living for self, all this oppression, this worldliness, cannot be on the side of God’s moral government. There are questions of science, and of politics, and of literature on which a man may assume a neutral position; but in the great matter of your salvation, God’s claim to your love, there is and there can be no neutrality. It is not a matter optional with you whether you repent or not, whether you believe or not, whether you are the follower and disciple of Christ or not. It is not a matter to you of utter indifference whether or not you are known in this world to be a child of God and an heir of glory.
II. What is it truly to be on the Lord’s side ?
1. Let me remark, simply and emphatically, that to be on the Lord’s side is to love Him. Love and hate to one and the selfsame being are emotions not only incongruous, but impossible in the human breast. There are no two properties in chemistry more opposite to each other in their nature and in their operations than are these two emotions--love and hate.
2. To be on the Lord’s side is to be on the side of His truth. The truth of God, next to His beloved Son, is the most precious thing that He possesses. Declare yourself on the side of the gospel and on the side of God’s truth; let there be no compromise; let there be no doubt whatever as to the firmness and sincerity with which you hold it.
3. To be on the Lord’s side is, then, to be on the side of the Lord’s people. If you are on the side of the Lord, you will not be ashamed of the Lord’s people. You may find many of them in lowly life, you may find many of them battling and struggling with its difficulties, you may find many of them unlearned and ignorant as touching the lore of this world.
4. But to be on the side of holiness it is essential to be on the side of the Lord. The Lord’s side is holiness in conflict with sin, righteousness in antagonism with unholiness.
III. “Who is on the Lord’s side?” There are many considerations with which one might enforce the challenge, and press it upon your personal and solemn consideration. Let these suffice--
1. It is the only right side.
2. I remark, in addition to this, that it is the only winning side. (C. Winslow.)
Who is on the Lord’s side?
I. The text implies an opposition.
II. The text advocates a duty. It is the duty of being on the Lord’s side.
1. To be on the Lord’s side is to acknowledge Him as the only Lord.
2. To be on the Lord’s side is to render from the heart actually to Him emotions of reverence, of admiration, and of gratitude, which are permanent and supreme.
3. To be on the Lord’s side is to abandon and repudiate all refuges which are false, in connection with the great principle of acceptance before Him, and to rest entirely and implicitly upon the one method which He has been pleased to propound, and which is found in the expiation and in the imputed righteousness of His Son.
4. To be on the Lord’s side is to become practically conformed to His commandments.
5. To be on the Lord’s side is to be diligent in the advancement of His glory. Again: you are to observe what are the inducements to be on the Lord’s side.
1. You should be on the Lord’s side because He possesses an unimpeachable and absolute right to you.
(1) He has the right of a Creator.
(2) The right of a benefactor.
(3) In order to save you from that wrath, He has rendered His most precious and incomparable gift: He gave His own Son.
(4) Because you will be made partakers of vast and incomparable blessings.
(5) Because by not being so you are exposed to overwhelming punishment and sorrow.
III. The text demands a declaration. “Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord’s side? let him come unto me.” God will not have His servants to live in secret and in retirement; they are to proclaim and publish the fact that they are for Him.
1. This declaration should be made by verbal announcement in the intercourse of social life: “With the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
2. This declaration is also to be made by union with the people of God in the Church of His Son.
3. This declaration also is to be made by active and devoted diligence in promoting the cause of God among the apostate and the rebellious of your race. (J. Parsons.)
The Lord’s side
I. What is implied in being “on the Lord’s side.” It implies--
1. A decided renunciation of the cause of sin.
2. Believingly to choose God as our portion.
3. Cheerful obedience to His commands.
4. An undaunted profession of His religion.
5. A consecration of all we possess to His honour and glory.
II. The advantages arising from being on the Lord’s side.
1. It is the most honourable side.
2. It is the most happy side.
3. It is the most useful side.
4. It is the most safe side.
Application:
1. Congratulate those on the Lord’s side. Exhort them to steadfastness and perseverance.
2. Invite poor ruined sinners to throw down their weapons and sue for mercy.
3. Plead with the miserable backslider, that he may return to the Shepherd and Bishop of his soul. “I will heal his backslidings,” etc., “saith the Lord.” (J. Burns, D. D.)
On decision in religion
I. There are two great interests in the world--God and Satan. No neutrality.
II. Some are undecided about serving God. They wish to become Christians, and yet will not give up their beloved sins. They have too much knowledge to enjoy the world, and too great a love of the world to enjoy religion; and thus they halt between two opinions.
III. All ought to decide for God.
IV. The sin and danger of remaining undecided. It is base ingratitude and the most presumptuous rebellion.
V. We press immediate decision. It is your duty to God, to yourself, and to the Church of Christ; it is your privilege, and will be both to your honour and advantage.
VI. The way to show your decision. (Evangelical Preacher.)
The right position
I. Great dancer of delusion here.
1. Think not that you are on the Lord’s side because you have been baptized and confirmed. You may have broken the covenant and trampled upon its mercies.
2. Think not that you are on the Lord’s side because you attend the Holy Communion. It cannot make a saint of a hypocrite.
3. Think not that you are on the Lord’s side because you take pleasure in religious services. Herod heard John gladly, but would not abandon his vicious course of life.
4. Think not that you are on the Lord’s side because you are conscious of no hostility to Him. Few men, however depraved and guilty, really believe themselves the enemies of Christ. Nothing special has occurred to call forth their opposition.
5. Think not that you are on the Lord’s side because you meditate with delight upon His character. Such is the constitution of the human mind, that it cannot help admiring a high degree of virtue. No doubt the conscience of hell itself is with God.
6. Think not that you are on the Lord’s side because you faultlessly perform all your social duties. The young ruler.
7. Think not that you are on the Lord’s side because you sometimes experience slight compunctions for sin. Felix, Agrippa.
8. Think not that you are on the Lord’s side because you cherish in your heart an ardent desire of salvation. Who has not had such desires? Who would not die the death of the righteous?
9. Think not that you are on the Lord’s side because you show a commendable zeal in the propagation of your religious opinions. The Jesuit is more zealous than you. So are the Hindoo, Mussulman, Mormon.
10. Think not that you are on the Lord’s side because you are successful in your efforts to promote Christianity around you. Have you ever equalled the success of the Arabian impostor or of the profligate saints of Utah?
11. Think not that you are on the Lord’s side because your fair exterior makes others regard you as a true servant of God.
II. What is it, then, to be on the Lord’s side, and how are you to ascertain your true position? What is implied in loyalty to God and an alliance with Jesus Christ? It implies baptism, for this is the entrance into the Christian covenant. It implies confirmation, for this is the public recognition and ratification of that sacred compact with the Lord. It implies Holy Communion, for this is the formal and frequent repetition of the believer’s oath of allegiance to his King, the Captain of his salvation. But it implies much more, which is involved in all these, and without which all these can make no man a thorough Christian. If you are on the Lord’s side, you are for His Church, against all schism; for His truth, against all heresy; for the faith of His saints, against all human theories and speculations. (J. Cross, D.D.)
The Lord’s side
I. In outward profession they are on the Lord’s side who have become partakers of the peculiar ordinances which the Saviour has established for His Church. These ordinances He has made imperative.
II. There is another standard which looks far beyond all outward professions in a determination of this question. There is a character which the power of man cannot feign, and which accurately marks those who have enlisted themselves under the banner of the King of saints. These evidences are to be presented, not as the marks by which we may form an opinion of others, but as the testimony by which we may examine ourselves.
1. They who are on the Lord’s side have been converted by the power of the Holy Ghost from their natural state of blindness and enmity to God.
2. They who are on the Lord’s side in this division of the world make it their object to live by faith in His promises and power, and as pilgrims on the earth, to become prepared for a better country--that is, an heavenly.
3. They who are on the Lord’s side experience a daily conflict with the principles of sin. While men are unconverted, this contest is unknown.
4. They who are on the Lord’s side are going on from grace to grace. The mind of Christ is forming within them. (S. H. Tyng, D.D.)
The challenge of Moses
I. The truths which the text teaches.
1. That there are two great interests in the world--a good one and a bad one--God, the great eternal, on the one side, and Satan, the prince of darkness, on the other. I should not say too much, I presume, if I venture to affirm all belong to God by right. But Satan has usurped a dominion. All are on one side or the other.
2. Some are undecided about serving God. Not from the want of conviction; their consciences speak for God, but their wills rebel.
II. that it is or the utmost importance for us to ascertain to which class we belong. What is implied in being on the Lord’s side?
1. Enlightenment of mind. It is necessary for us to see both the error and danger there is in being on the side of Satan and sin, and to discover the excellency and superiority of Christ’s cause and gospel.
2. It is believingly to choose Christ for our portion.
3. It includes obedience to His truth. If we are on the Lord’s side, we shall delight in His law.
4. It includes a determination of mind to sacrifice everything for Him.
III. Point out some of the advantages of being on the Lord’s side.
1. It is the most honourable side. It is not the side of the despot or tyrant, but it is the cause and service of the God of love. It is not the service of sin, but of purity.
2. It is the strongest side. And it is astonishing to see how fond some persons are of being on the strongest side.
3. It is the most happy side. This cannot be confuted. For while there is no peace for the wicked, the Christian hath peace with God--an inward tranquillity, to which the world are strangers; the retrospect, and their present experience as well as their future prospects, are fraught with happiness and joy.
4. It is the most useful side. Sin injures others as well as ourselves.
5. It is the most safe side. In fact, no other state is safe.
Learn--
1. The important question,”Who is on the Lord’s side?” We congratulate those who are, and would say to them, “Be steadfast, unmovable” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
2. The sin and danger of remaining undecided. It deprives you of present happiness, and, if grace prevent not, it will shut you out of heaven at last.
3. That the way to show your decision is to come out from the world and be separate. (W. Rose.)
Holding up the colours
I remember a story of the Crimean war, of that terrible day at Inkerman in which our little wasted and dispirited army was suddenly overwhelmed, in the mist and in the darkness of a thick November morning, by vast masses of Russians. The men had to fight their way out as best they could. There was one little company surrounded and hemmed in on every side by the enemy, but there were a few gallant and brave men in their midst fighting their way through hosts of foes that hedged them in on every side. There was a voice heard by a spectator at a distance, “Hold up the colours”; and still as they pressed on, and still as one and another fell, and still as that little company became smaller, still the cry went up, “Hold up the colours.” Holding up the colours, they fought their way through to life and liberty and victory. Oh, it is a lesson to us; whatever else we do, hold up the colours. Let men know what we are; let them know that we are Christ’s. On our colours is engraven, “Christ and His salvation.” Hold fast the colours--there is no fear of the victory. (G. Rogers.)
Are we on the Lord’s side?
“We trust the Lord is on our side, Mr. Lincoln,” said the speaker of a delegation of Christian people to that good man, during one of the darkest days of the American Civil War. “I do not regard that as so essential as something else,” replied Mr. Lincoln. The worthy visitors looked horror-struck, until the President added: “I am most concerned to know that we are on the Lord’s side.” The right side is not my side or your side. The Lord’s side is the place to which every one of us should rally. His banner has right, truth, love, and holiness written on it. Be sure yon stand up for God’s banner, even if you stand alone. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
The choice to be made
Guizot, in his life of St. Louis of France, says that the latter had many vassals who were also vassals of the King of England, and that many subtle and difficult questions arose as to the extent of the service which they owed to these kings. At length the French king commanded all those nobles who held lands in English territory to appear before him, and then he said to them: “As it is impossible for any man living in my kingdom and having possessions in England rightly to serve two masters, you must either attach yourselves altogether to me or inseparably to the King of England.” After saying this, he gave them a certain day by which to make their choice.
Out and out for Christ
An Irish gentleman, pointing to a young man, once said: “Is he an O. O.?” “What do you mean by O. O.?” “I mean,” was the reply, “is he out and out for Christ?” This is what all ought to be who bear Christ’s name. When all who belong to the Lord,” one says, “are willing to speak for Him, willing to work for Him, willing to die for Him, then Christianity will advance, and we shall see the work of the Lord prosper.”