STANDING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FENCE

Apparently for Mrs. Clinton it’s hard to take a stand in presidential politics. In the October 31 Democratic debate she tried to be on both sides of the same issue. Should illegal immigrants be given a driver’s license? She had claimed that it makes sense for the New York governor to want to do this, but when asked about it in the debate claimed not to be in favor of such a plan. Then within two minutes as the debate continued she said, “It makes a lot of sense.” I’m confused. Does it make sense or doesn’t it. You can’t have it both ways.

Mrs. Clinton and countless other presidential candidates are no the first to try to straddle the fence. People have been playing this game for a long, long time.

• 5 I'll get rid of the people who sneak up to their rooftops at night to worship the star gods and goddesses; also those who continue to worship God but cover their bases by worshiping other king-gods as well; 6 Not to mention those who've dumped God altogether, no longer giving him a thought or offering a prayer.
  Zephaniah 1:5-6 (MsgB)

The Lord called Zephaniah to speak against those who were trying to straddle the fence of faith. Many God fearing Jews were secretly worshiping other so called gods. The idolater who wholeheartedly worshipped a false god committed one less sin than those who divided their hearts publicly worshiping Jehovah God and then bowed to worship other gods.

James says that the double-minded man is unstable in all his ways and should not think that he would receive anything from God. The sin of idolatry mixed with the sin of betrayal—a loving embrace that is a stab in the back because loyalty is divided. We so easily doubt God’s provision when we have also bowed to worship at the altar of materialism. How can we have a vibrant faith in God when we also give ourselves to the so called gods of pleasure or entertainment?

God will judge those who try to stand on both sides of the fence. We must choose who or what we will have as our god. Will we make Jesus our God? Or will we give our hearts to the gods of this age? Jesus Christ must be all or nothing.

Ask the Lord to examine your heart today. Have you given yourself wholeheartedly to the Lord, or is your heart divided? I’m glad Jesus is willing to forgive even those who have straddled the fence. What do you think?