Do I Have Your Support

We often stand on the edge of decisions wondering if we have the support to make a brave step forward. From buying a house, starting a new job, making a new life, or even running for a position that requires an election.

There have been many times I’ve stood in the gap between various decisions wondering if I had the support of those around me. It’s not my personality to ask for support, rather, I take a page out of the playbook of Jesus’s ministry and declare to myself that if you are with me then you are not against me. (Matthew 12:30)

But the reality is there are those with you who are not for you making this next choice. Perhaps they are they hoping for your failure or waiting to see the cookie crumble before they jump ship.

When there are just two of you making decisions it’s easy to ask, “Shall we?” When there is a crowd then even those who agree may find a way to slow the success just to point a finger and say, “I knew it!”

How do you decide if you have the votes, support or consensus?

People withdraw their support in a lot of non-obvious ways. If you are the slightly suspicious sort then you can easily second guess why they are dressing differently, coming in late, leaving early, and avoiding conversation. On the job, we would suspect they were interviewing for a new position at a new company and may even tease them about.

Sometimes the best way to determine your support is to simply ask, but be ready for the answer!

Jesus taught and exampled his gospel that completed the thread of prophecy out of their bible. What we call the Old Testament. Some of his followers struggled with this new thought and murmured against him. “Does this offend you?” he asks, and without waiting for an answer he makes an explanation and sums it up like this.

But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. (John 6:64 NKJV)

His closest followers, the disciples, were also asked, “Do you also want to go away?” Now. If Jesus knows the thought and intent of the heart why would he feel the need to ask this question? Maybe the answer is found in the reply.

But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:68-69 NKJV)

Notice the style of Peter’s answer.

1. Recognition of Options. “We have nowhere else to go.”
2. Statement of Belief. “You have what we need.”
3. Declaration of Action. “We have come to believe in you. “

Sometimes you ask the tough question because it gives people the opportunity to analyze their position and gives them a voice to articulate what they have come to believe.

Think about it. Even after this declaration, these disciples will still struggle with their belief. They flee into the night when he is arrested, hide in the shadows, melting into the crowd fearing the authorities and the cruel voices of those calling for the crucifixion. There was Jesus hanging on the cross and only two are recorded as going to the foot and agonizing over the cruelty done against their savior Even when Jesus arose they disbelieved the report with what appears to be a negative spirit.

Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. (Mark 16:14 NKJV)

Are we any different? We declare our loyalty, get with the program, make a commitment…but let a setback occur and we are ready to flee into the night wagging our fingers over the shoulder declaring, “I never really believed.”

There is a fine line between love and hate. We see this in breakups of marriages. What could have been construed as love yesterday becomes hate today? Really? Yep! We see this in politics and public purview as someone or something steps over the line and we flame our passions with our fickle view.

Again. Think about it. Just before his crucifixion Jesus is praised as the Son of David who comes in the name of the Lord. (Matthew 21:9, Mark 11:9-10, John 12:13) Overnight, a victory procession turns into a violent mob with cries of derision and hate. “Crucify him!” (Mark 15:13-14, Luke 23:21, John 19:6, 15)

Where is the support of yesterday? Flamed out of control today. What happened?

Support is often based on emotions and like a sugar high they can spike, peak and plummet. Faster than a falling star flaming through the atmosphere from the west to the east, our emotions spike, peak and plummet. With the snap of our fingers, we change loyalties and promises from one extreme to the other.

It should make a difference whether you are a Christian led by the Spirit of God, but the reality is that we are fleshly creatures and we wrestle with the carnality of our flesh every day. Paul teaches on this a lot! Two things about our carnality rise to the surface.

• I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. (Galatians 5:16-18 NKJV)
• Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:10-13 NKJV)

Here’s a key to thinking through things with our emotions.

Regardless of the nature that dominates our actions, emotions can destroy your choices, or it can help you see how the enemy of our life is attempting to control us. If you are trying to figure out who, or what, you support, then perhaps it needs to be done under the auspices of living in the ranks of Spiritual Thought and Action.

Here’s an Action Item to consider. Before you allow your emotions to rule your actions, some deep thought, research and prayerful consideration of why you are going with your emotions and not your faith!

But above all these things put on love,
which is the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,
to which also you were called in one body;
and be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly
in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
And whatever you do in word or deed,
do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
(Colossians 3:14-17 NKJV)