Matthew 12:30 - Only Two Ways.
Mat.12:30: Only Two Ways.
Mat.12:30 (NLT) Anyone who isn't helping me opposes me, and
anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me.
DEVOTIONAL PEARL
Christians who live for self dishonor their Redeemer. They may
apparently be very active in the service of the Lord, but they weave self
into all that they do. Sowing the seeds of selfishness, they must at
last reap a harvest of corruption. . . . Service for self takes a
variety of forms. Some of these forms seem harmless. Apparent goodness
gives them the appearance of genuine goodness. But they bring no glory
to the Lord. By their service His cause is hindered. Christ says,
"He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not
with me scattereth abroad." Those who bring self into their work
cannot be trusted. If they would lose sight of self in Christ, their
efforts would be of value to His cause. They would then conform the life
to His teachings. They would form their plans in harmony with His
great plan of love. Selfishness would be banished from their efforts.
. . . Self-denial, humility of mind, nobility of purpose, marked
the Saviour's life . . . {5BC 1096}
Unless we do yield ourselves to the control of Christ, we shall
be dominated by the wicked one. We must inevitably be under the
control of the one or the other of the two great powers that are
contending for the supremacy of the world. It is not necessary for us
deliberately to choose the service of the kingdom of darkness in order to
come under its dominion. We have only to neglect to ally ourselves
with the kingdom of light. If we do not co-operate with the heavenly
agencies, Satan will take possession of the heart, and will make it his
abiding place. The only defense against evil is the indwelling of
Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. Unless we
become vitally connected with God, we can never resist the unhallowed
effects of self-love, self-indulgence, and temptation to sin. We may
leave off many bad habits, for the time we may part company with
Satan; but without a vital connection with God, through the surrender
of ourselves to Him moment by moment, we shall be overcome.
Without a personal acquaintance with Christ, and a continual communion,
we are at the mercy of the enemy, and shall do his bidding in the
end. DA324.
THE FOLLOWING IS FOR THOSE WHO DESIRE DEEPER STUDY:
CONTENT; What's in the verse; Translations; Paraphrase; Word
Study:
Mat.12:30 (KJV) He that is not with me is against me; and he
that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
Mat.12:30 (NLT) Anyone who isn't helping me opposes me, and
anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me.
Mat.12:30 (CWR) If you're not with me in my work, you have set
yourself against me; if you're not gathering with me, you're scattering.
CONTEXT; What's around the verse; Overview; Topic:
Overview
Jesus' claim to be LORD of the Sabbath (12:1-14) and the Servant
predicted by Isaiah (vv. 15-21) brought direct conflict with the Pharisees
(vv. 22-37). Christ rejected their demand for a miraculous sign (vv.
36-45), but announced kinship with those who do God's will (vv. 46-50).
In a series of parables told to puzzled crowds (13:1-35), and in
another series told to His disciples (vv. 36-52), Jesus explained the
unexpected aspects of His kingdom. [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary]
Chapter Topics
1 Christ reproveth the blindness of the Pharisees concerning the
breach of the sabbath, 3 by scriptures, 9 by reason, 13 and by a
miracle. 22 He healeth the man possessed that was blind and dumb. 31
Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall never be forgiven. 36 Account shall
be made of idle words. 39 He rebuketh the unfaithful, who seek
after a sign: 49 and sheweth who is his brother, sister, and mother.
[SDA Commentary]
Chapter Summary
Despite the miracles which supported Jesus' claims, opposition
of the religious elite stiffens. They accuse His disciples of
"doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath" (12:1-8), and when Jesus heals
on the Sabbath they attack Christ Himself. Christ's actions expose
the indifference of the Pharisees to human need--and they respond by
plotting to kill Him! (vv. 9-14) Rather than engage in angry debate
Jesus withdraws to continue His healing ministry (vv. 15-21). But when
Jesus heals a demon possessed man, and the crowd speculates that He
might be the promised Messiah (vv. 22-23), the desperate Pharisees
accuse Him of getting His powers from Satan. Christ ridicules the
notion, but warns them that they have committed an "unforgivable sin"
(vv. 24-32). Their words have revealed the evil in their hearts (vv.
33-37). When the Pharisees demand a miraculous sign, Jesus promises only
the "sign of the Prophet Jonah," speaking of His coming resurrection
(vv. 38-45). Later, Jesus claims that all those who do the will of
God are His brothers and sisters (vv. 46-49). [Victor Bible Reader's
Companion]
Section Headings
Jesus and Beelzebul (12:22-32)
Religious leaders accuse Jesus of being under Satan's power
(12:22-37)
Jesus' Power Is from God
Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit (12:22-32)
The Unpardonable Sin
CROSS REFERENCES; What's in verses elsewhere.
Joshua 24:15 (KJV) And if it seem evil unto you to serve the
Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which
your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the
gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my
house, we will serve the Lord.
Matthew 6:24 (KJV) No man can serve two masters: for either he
will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the
one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Luke 9:50 (KJV) And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he
that is not against us is for us.
Luke 11:23 (KJV) He that is not with me is against me: and he
that gathereth not with me scattereth.
2 Cor. 6:15 (KJV) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or
what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
1 John 2:19 (KJV) They went out from us, but they were not of
us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued
with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that
they were not all of us.
Rev. 3:15-16 (KJV) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold
nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. [16] So then because thou
art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my
mouth.
COMMENTARY / APPLICATION: Moving From The Head To The Heart.
What is God teaching here? What does it teach about Jesus?
How can it improve my relationship with Jesus.
Christians who live for self dishonor their Redeemer. They may
apparently be very active in the service of the Lord, but they weave self
into all that they do. Sowing the seeds of selfishness, they must at
last reap a harvest of corruption. . . . Service for self takes a
variety of forms. Some of these forms seem harmless. Apparent goodness
gives them the appearance of genuine goodness. But they bring no glory
to the Lord. By their service His cause is hindered. Christ says,
"He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not
with me scattereth abroad." Those who bring self into their work
cannot be trusted. If they would lose sight of self in Christ, their
efforts would be of value to His cause. They would then conform the life
to His teachings. They would form their plans in harmony with His
great plan of love. Selfishness would be banished from their efforts.
. . . Self-denial, humility of mind, nobility of purpose, marked
the Saviour's life . . . {5BC 1096}
Unless we do yield ourselves to the control of Christ, we shall
be dominated by the wicked one. We must inevitably be under the
control of the one or the other of the two great powers that are
contending for the supremacy of the world. It is not necessary for us
deliberately to choose the service of the kingdom of darkness in order to
come under its dominion. We have only to neglect to ally ourselves
with the kingdom of light. If we do not co-operate with the heavenly
agencies, Satan will take possession of the heart, and will make it his
abiding place. The only defense against evil is the indwelling of
Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. Unless we
become vitally connected with God, we can never resist the unhallowed
effects of self-love, self-indulgence, and temptation to sin. We may
leave off many bad habits, for the time we may part company with
Satan; but without a vital connection with God, through the surrender
of ourselves to Him moment by moment, we shall be overcome.
Without a personal acquaintance with Christ, and a continual communion,
we are at the mercy of the enemy, and shall do his bidding in the
end. DA324.
Every soul that refuses to give himself to God is under the
control of another power. He is not his own. He may talk of freedom,
but he is in the most abject slavery. DA466.
In the great conflict for the soul of man, there is no middle
ground; neutrality is impossible. Every man is either a patriot or a
traitor. He who is not wholly on the side of Christ is wholly on the side
of the enemy, that is, the weight of his influence is in that
direction. To be almost, but not wholly, with Christ is to be, not almost,
but wholly against Him. [SDA Commentary]
It is impossible to be neutral about Christ. Anyone who is not
actively following him has chosen to reject him. Any person who tries to
remain neutral in the struggle of good against evil is choosing to be
separated from God, who alone is good. To refuse to follow Christ is to
choose to be on Satan's team. [Life Application SB]
The silent witness of a true, unselfish, godly life carries an
almost irresistible influence. By revealing in our own life the
character of Christ we co-operate with Him in the work of saving souls. It
is only by revealing in our life His character that we can
co-operate with Him. And the wider the sphere of our influence, the more
good we may do. When those who profess to serve God follow Christ's
example, practicing the principles of the law in their daily life; when
every act bears witness that they love God supremely and their
neighbor as themselves, then will the church have power to move the
world. {COL 340}
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