Christian Living

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Caught Up In The Middle

What does it mean to believe? Believe means we trust, accept, and think that what we find trustworthy, creditable, and convincing. We convert, adhere and follow that which we believe. On the Cross at Calvary we find our beloved Jesus, one loved and adored by many that worshipped, idolized, treasured and favored Him. But yet there were two sinners hung with Him on each side. Jesus was caught up in the middle of two thieves; a symbolism of sin. One of the thieves believed and the other did not.

In Matthew 27:19-24 during the sentencing of Jesus Pilate was caught up in the middle between Jesus and the people. Being warned by his wife that Jesus was a just man he washed his hands of the blood before the multitude. Although he released Jesus after scourging him to be crucified his heart was not in putting him to death be.

Luke 17:34-36 lets us know that when Jesus come again two men will be in the bed; one will be taken and one left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken and the other left. Two men shall be in the field, the one shall be taken, and the other left. Jesus is caught up in the middle of our decision to choose righteousness over sin because He died for our sin that we may have life eternal. Jesus is the referee between God and Satan for the souls of men. He will judge us according to the Word. We must learn to refrain from sin. We should avoid sin and cease from anger. Not only that but we have been commanded to abstain from things that is not ordained by God. We are to have some forbearance when it comes to the crossroads of life as Jesus did.

In replenishing our lives with the invigorating Word of God we renew our relationship with our heavenly Father and we can take refuge in the center of His will. This refuge point is in the middle of decisions rather we know it or not. How well we are protected from the hands of the enemy depends on how well we obey God’s Word and how well we walk in regard to His Ways. We are put on notice that we mark ourselves by the way we view and think while we are caught in the middle of controversy with the Devil. We must respect the value of the Word and admire the leading of the Holy Spirit as well as esteeming God in the highest regard. We are to look with the highest estimation, appreciation, affection and admiration as we gaze through the looking glass and see God that we rely not on opinions but truth of the Word.

As the thief on the cross with Jesus looked on the Word and recognized that the man on the Cross in the middle was not a mere man. His estimation of who Jesus was took him to heaven that day. He found the Lord the day of his death. His appreciation of who Jesus was also established a verifiable, authenticated, and confirmed belief in Christ. This newfound affection and admiration secured him a fixed stabilized position with not only Jesus but God. Jesus that day fulfilled thief’s euphoria, well-being and happiness. Jesus was the center of the thief’s heart, mind, soul, and spirit. We can believe that this man’s countenance was one of approval as he was approved of by the Son of God. He went to the cross as a sinner but was acknowledged by Jesus as going to Paradise with Him as a saved man. Jesus position in the middle is to make intercession for us that we may endure and continue in our belief and trust in Him. The race is not to the swift; nor to the strong but to them that endure to the end. We must endure suffering and persecution with fortitude, tolerance, perseverance and stamina.

We will be like a rock when Jesus is caught up in the middle of our lives. We are rooted, established, and grounded in Holiness. Our hearts are fixed and based firmly. Christ wants to be instituted, erected, and built up in and through us. With Him comes an assembly, a group arranged and classified as one with God. This group the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost that worked together in the Creation to make us that spiritual being that we were created to be wants to be caught up in the middle of every one of our lives.

How do we do this? Through repentance, sanctification, and holiness which is the first state of man’s spirituality and being. God wants us to know that He is the Lord that sanctifies us; He formed us and knew us before we came forth out of our mother’s womb. Jesus prayed in John 17:17 to the Father to sanctify us through His Truth; His Word is Truth. Jesus for our sakes sanctified himself that we also might be sanctified through the truth. He was caught up in the middle for us that we would open our eyes to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God that we may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Christ Jesus. We are called to be Saints sanctified in Christ Jesus.

What do we receive for sainthood in Christ Jesus? We receive that same wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption after we have been washed in the blood of Jesus Christ. We accordingly have been chosen before the Creation to be holy and without blame before Him in love. We are to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, that we might be once again filled with all the fullness of God. Jesus is caught up in the middle to help us know how to possess our vessels in sanctification and honor that our whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless unto His coming again.

God has from the beginning chosen us to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. We are to purge ourselves that we may be meat for the master’s use and prepared unto every good work. Jesus caught up in the middle sanctified, sanctifies us and all of us are one with Christ. He offered up His body once for all. For by one offering He has perfected forever them that are sanctified that we may be partakers of God’s Holiness. He according to His divine power has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue that we may be a partaker of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lusts. What more can He do?

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. He is able to keep us from falling and to present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. Will you be one today that will come out of great tribulation as Jesus did and have your robe washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb? Will you be as Jesus was willing to be caught up in the middle?

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