“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”
Matthew 12:30/NIV
During my lifetime I answered the call to patriotism and devoted a quarter of a century on active duty serving in the United States Navy. What an experience that was! I learned many valuable lessons during that period of time to include listening to my leaders and following the orders I was given. I also learned and valued the concept of teamwork and pulling together with shipmates while working in collaborative fashion to complete the job for the day.
“Muster” is a phrase that is synonymous with gathering the sailors together at one location to pass along important information. While serving as a leader during my Navy career I would muster fellow sailors at the beginning of the workday. At that time I provided them the “plan of the day” as well as important information needed to know for a successful mission. Gathering people together and passing helpful information is good!
“Whoever is not with me is against me” is a phrase I have heard in many phrases, forms and contexts over the years, but the meaning is all-the-same: division and disharmony! Reading Matthew 12:34 (NIV) provides sobering reality regarding spiteful souls who seek to scatter: “You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” I believe this verse to be true because the heart (passion and motivation) will guide a person in their destructive actions and statements. These people obviously would be individuals who “scatter” and do not seek to create harmony, teamwork or cohesion.
Regarding Matthew 12:34, I will seek to explore my heart and assess what it is full of! I desire for it to be full of motivation to “gather” people together to share the Gospel and Good News about Jesus Christ! I desire my actions reflect that I am “for” Jesus Christ and not “against” Him. I desire the statements I make reflect care and compassion for others and not that of a viper! It is my desire to reflect the light of Jesus Christ onto others and they know He is the Way, Truth and Life!
Self-exploration considerations: Do my actions and statements reflect myself being for or against Jesus Christ? Do I have a reputation of being someone who gathers or scatters?
Many blessings to you!
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
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