What Would Jesus Do?

Years ago, I used an illustration for a sermon and I came across it again the other day. The story starts with a person tight walking on a fence taking a look all around as he made his way down the line. On one side of the fence were the fruits of the world and it included many of the bright shiny objects of the world. There were places that tempted such as peeler bars, gambling dens and houses of questionable activities. People lied to each other for their own gain, sought out the things of life that fed their own selfish desires and yearned after the idols of the world. The constant din was distracting enough to keep people’s interest. All this chaos was both exhilarating and rather captivating but it all seemed so safe from the comfort from atop the fence.  

On the other side of the fence was an indescribable serenity. There were no distractions and nothing to take away from the beauty and peace. The joy infected the soul without sound or theatrics. You could feel the love flowing like a stream wondering throughout the yard. It was as if you were wrapped in the protective arms of millions of people; fully secure and completely secure. To look on that side of the field was rather boring as it seemed nothing exciting going on but he could not turn away. It was so easy to stand on the fence and enjoy the sights, sounds and feelings of both sides of the fence.

That is when the person walking the fence noticed someone sitting back enjoying a big Cohiba Majestuosos, sipping ridiculously expensive wine, dressed in the finest threads and sporting a million dollar smile. He was looking up at the man on the fence and smiling away. The man on the fence immediately recognized him, El Diablo, the great deceiver. He just sat there staring and smiling at the man on the fence enticing him with wine, women and song but never tried to hard to get him to come down. Finally the man on the fence asked why he was smiling so much. He was on the fence and was not going to come down into that lifestyle and still Lucifer smiled. What the man on the fence didn’t know was he could stay on that fence until the end of day looking over both worlds to his hearts delight. In the end, the devil owns the fence.

There are so many out there who want to live with their feet planted on both sides of the border but Jesus is quite clear in His command. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16. The key here is “whoever believes in Him.” What would the world do? I believe the world walks the top of the fence leaning across towards the side that offers what is most pleasing in the moment. Christ took the plunge for all mankind and showed us the way through His actions. He chose the cross, He chose us.

We invite you to join us if you can at 10:30 MST on Sunday or watch live online on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MainAvenueFellowship/ ) or view it afterwards on our website (www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca). See you all Sunday.

Blessings
Pastor Todd