It all happened when I was 7 years old. I embarked on a daring quest assigned by my mother – a routine mission of buying milk at the nearby 7-Eleven store. Back then, the world seemed innocently secure, free from the threat of hoodlums lurking in the shadows – or so I naively believed. The store wasn’t exactly a marathon’s distance away, but I deduced that the quickest route was a direct path through someone’s backyard. I didn’t know my neighbors, but I figured they wouldn’t mind my brief intrusion. It was just a matter of minutes, after all; they would never be the wiser. I swung open their creaky wooden gate, sprinted across their yard, and hastily scrambling up and then down the weathered fence. I bought the milk and decided to go back the same way I came.
Up the fence I climbed, and I sat there for a moment basking in the satisfaction of my covert accomplishment. I was perched precariously atop the thin aging wood fence, my legs dangling, my eyes eagerly surveyed the surroundings for imminent danger. But this time, out of nowhere, I heard it. A dog was angrily barking and rocketing towards me at 200 mph. I decided to climb down and make a run for it (surely, I could outrun a dog). With astonishing speed, the dog caught up with me and gave me an unexpected quick nip to my posterior. Ouch! The searing pain made me yelp. Panic set in. “Would he keep biting?”, I wondered. Suddenly, a woman with her hands on her hips appeared onto the scene, commanding their dog to cease its assault. Filled with empathy and concern, the woman accompanied me on the sad trek back home (just a few houses away). On the walk of shame, I profusely expressed my remorse for trespassing through her yard. I learned a harsh lesson – a searing reminder about the perils of trespassing but also, the inherent danger of sitting on the fence.
Hot Topics
Many individuals adopt a position of uncertainty or indecision when it comes to the prevailing issues affecting our society today. These hot topics encompass a wide range of matters such as: abortion, homosexuality, transgender ideology, inflation, the rise of socialism, the over sexualization of our children & the indoctrination of such in our schools, racial discrimination, excessive government expenditure, unregulated immigration, safeguarding election integrity, and the harrowing issue of sex trafficking, among many others. Are you on the fence with any of these topics?
What does “Sitting on the Fence” mean?
It’s basically “Indecision” which can sometimes trap us in a state of ambivalence, as we precariously perch atop the proverbial fence. It paints a picture of individuals who are hesitant to commit or choose a side in an argument. Some tend to straddle the fence so that they can maintain harmonious relationships with both sides, aiming to stay neutral. While others display an apathetic disposition, simply lacking interest or concern about the matter.
Why are people sitting on the fence?
They don’t want their friends and family to know which side they are on. They don’t want to lose their friends, reputation, or their jobs, so they just sit on the fence. But in reality, they “know” which side they are on. They “have” made a decision. They don’t want to speak up, articulate their point of view, because it may lead to a heated discussion or a full-blown argument. They stay neutral, indifferent, keeping quiet, in order to keep peace in all their relationships.
What about Christianity?
There is a prevailing indifference towards Christianity among many individuals. They have not invested the necessary efforts to read or study the Bible in order to discover its merits and truth. Their disinterest in God’s message leads them to prioritize their own desires and distance themselves from Christianity, the Church, the Bible, and Christ followers. Consequently, these individuals have fabricated their own version of God, constructed their own concept of Jesus, ultimately, inventing their own personal religion, an enlightened faith.
Progressive Churches
Speaking of inventing your own religion, there has been a rise in “progressive churches.” These pastors with a liberal mindset have taken it upon themselves to deconstruct the Bible, erasing historical truths and dismantling the very essence of the gospel message. They dare to reshape Jesus according to their own whims and fancies. One of their main tenets is the belief that the Bible is not the literal Word of God, claiming it contains errors. It seems that they have neglected any sincere study or research. Instead, they wield figurative black markers, redacting portions of the God’s Word they do not like, effectively subtracting what is undeniably true. The most egregious is the elimination of hell. Removing the concept of hell serves to make their message more palatable to congregations. After all, who wants feelings of judgment and condemnation for our sins? So, these progressive pastors push the comforting notion that everyone (saved or not saved) will automatically find themselves in the blissful confines of heaven – universalism.
But here’s the truth … we are all condemned already.
“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” John 3:18
You are either for God or against Him. There is no middle ground, no neutrality in our relationship with Jesus. In fact, neutrality is impossible.
“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” Matthew 12:30
The truth is … there is no fence; it doesn’t exist.
“How well I have learned that there is no fence to sit on between heaven and hell. There is a deep, wide gulf, a chasm, and in that chasm is no place for any man.” Johnny Cash
Are you still lingering in a state of indecision, attempting to remain neutral? As Elijah said,
“How long will you go limping between two different opinions.” 1 Kings 18:21
In doing so, you have unwittingly aligned yourself with Satan, allowing his influence to permeate every aspect of your life. It’s unpredictable when our time on Earth will end or when Jesus returns (the snatching away of all believers from the earth in order to make way for His righteous judgment to be poured out on the earth). Therefore, I implore you to come over to God’s side. Take a walk through the narrow gate. Seize this opportunity while it still remains within your grasp.
Jesus painted a memorable and simple image when he said,
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:13-14.
Suggested reading. Author Alisa Childers has put in years of research and has written two excellent books you must read. (https://alisachilders.com)
“Another Gospel?” Alisa had been a Christian her whole life but then she met a progressive pastor who called himself a hopeful agnostic. Her book describes her journey which took over several years as she wrestled with questions that struck at the core of the Christian faith and found the truth.
“Live Your Truth” where you’ll examine modern lies that are disguised as truths in today’s culture.