by MarryEdwardd | 9 January 2020 08:46 am01
Blessed be the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Welcome once again as we study Scripture. Our highest daily responsibility is to truly know Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and discern what pleases Him, as emphasized in Ephesians 4:13 (NIV): “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Similarly, Ephesians 5:10 (ESV) reminds us to “test what is pleasing to the Lord.”
Today, we will meditate on a powerful teaching of Jesus found in Matthew 12:30 (ESV): “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”
If you read the surrounding verses, you will see that Jesus was responding to accusations that He cast out demons by the power of Satan. His words reveal a fundamental principle of God’s kingdom: there is no neutral ground in spiritual matters. Every person either aligns with Christ or opposes Him.
Jesus’ statement has two dimensions:
“Whoever is not with me is against me” – This is a declaration of loyalty. In the spiritual realm, neutrality is impossible. To refuse allegiance to Christ is to oppose Him.
“Whoever does not gather with me scatters” – This emphasizes the practical outworking of faith. Believers are called to participate in God’s mission, to “gather” by advancing His kingdom, spreading the gospel, and doing His work. To neglect this work, while having the opportunity, is considered resistance.
Some people argue: “I don’t believe in Jesus, but I live morally; I help the poor, I don’t steal, I abstain from alcohol. Will God judge me?” Others say, “I may not fully believe, but I love Christ and do not oppose Him.”
Theologically, salvation and alignment with Christ are not based solely on moral deeds, as Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) teaches: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Moral living is important, but apart from faith in Christ, even good deeds cannot place one in His kingdom.
By rejecting Christ—even if one performs morally good acts—one is spiritually opposing Him. The anti-Christ spirit is present in those who reject or avoid Christ’s authority (1 John 2:22-23, ESV).
Similarly, failing to participate in God’s work when given the opportunity is spiritually damaging. Jesus warns that passivity in God’s mission is equivalent to scattering His work. This is illustrated in Luke 13:6-9 (NIV):
“Then he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, “For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?”
“‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”
Theologically, the fig tree represents unfruitful lives. Its mere presence, without bearing fruit, is harmful. Similarly, believers who neglect God’s work or live in disobedience harm the spiritual soil around them. Fruitfulness is not optional for a disciple; it is evidence of life in Christ (John 15:4-5, NIV: “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.”).
Even if you have a good heart, help others, attend church, and avoid sins like theft and drunkenness, worldly habits such as immodest dressing, vanity, or excessive pursuit of appearances can undermine God’s work. When the Holy Spirit convicts, resistance to that work equates to scattering rather than gathering (Matthew 12:30).
This applies both individually and corporately: God’s kingdom advances through faithful discipleship. Those who live in compromise, passivity, or neglect of God’s mission are in danger of being counted as opposing Christ.
If you have not accepted Christ, the door of grace is open today. We live in the last days. As 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NIV) reminds us, “the Lord himself will come down from heaven… and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive will be caught up… to meet the Lord in the air.”
True repentance involves a full turning from sin, including:
Drunkenness, sexual immorality, theft, corruption, and cursing.
Vanity, jealousy, and worldly indulgences.
Immodest attire, excessive adornments, and worldly behaviors that dishonor God.
Burn, remove, or renounce anything that symbolizes your former sin. This act of faith demonstrates your commitment to Christ, opening the way for His grace to strengthen you in overcoming temptation (Romans 6:14, ESV: “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”).
Submit to Christ fully in faith.
Join a Bible-based church that faithfully preaches Christ.
Be baptized through full immersion in water in the name of Jesus Christ, as instructed in Acts 2:38 (NIV): “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”
By doing so, you will walk in obedience and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth, strengthening you to bear fruit for God’s kingdom.
May the Lord bless you abundantly.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2020/01/09/whoever-is-not-with-me-is-against-me/
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