A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

THERE IS NO MIDDLE GROUND      

Matthew 10:34-39 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn “ ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for My sake will find it.” 

There is no middle ground means that there is no possibility of compromise or agreement between two opposing parties. People have been trying to disprove this saying for much of the history of the world. This is true also when it comes to people trying to practice their Christian faith.   

There is what is known religiously as a mixed-marriage. A mixed marriage is one where the husband is of one religious belief and the wife of another. They entered into their marriage knowing they disagreed about what the Bible teaches, what constitutes saving faith and a potential host of other issues. As long as there are no children in the marriage, each spouse has a better opportunity to follow their own beliefs. 

However, once children arrive there are basic questions that will need to be resolved such as will their children attend the husband’s church or the mother’s? Will the husband be responsible for being the spiritual leader of his family or his wife? If one spouse is a non-Christian and objects to the children being taught God’s Word, being baptized, going to Sunday School and Church, is there even a possibility of compromise? 

Jesus said, “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.” (Today’s devotional verses) One of the Devil’s greatest lies is “Jesus really wasn’t serious when He said this!”   

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) Faith in Jesus alone saves.   

Prayer: Lord, help me to be faithful to you with no attempts to compromise the faith Your Spirit has given me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Your kingdom, O God, is my glorious treasure,  
My pearl of incompr’able worth.  
Its value exceeds ev’ry standard of measure,   
Surpassing the wealth of the earth.  
Lord, give me Your grace and the pow’r of the Sprit  
To value this treasure aright  
That, never allured by the world, I inherit  
Your kingdom of glory and light. 

Your kingdom, O God, is alive with the power  
Your Word and Your Spirit bestow. 
 Like yeast, they affect the whole measure of flour,
Enabling Your kingdom to grow.  
Empower me, Lord, as I live Your commission,  
Though humble my service may be,  
And bring ev’ry planting to perfect fruition,  
A mustard seed grown to a tree. 

Your kingdom, O God, is a field for the growing  
Of seeds that Your mercy has sown;  
But still in our midst is the enemy sowing  
The weeds that imperil Your own.  
Sustain me, O Lord, till Your day of returning  
And harvest me homeward at last,  
To shine in the homeland that quiets all yearning,  
Where sorrow and danger are past.  

Your Kingdom, O God, Is My Glorious Treasure // LSB 654