Did you know that everything on your computer, your phone, and the entire internet is comprised by a code of ones and zeros? Every image. Every document. Just a very specific sequence of binary information. Ones and zeros.
When you come to the very core of the matter, it’s just a question of whether the bit is ON or OFF, a one or a zero.
In the film Karate Kid, a high-school kid named Daniel is taught by a wise Okinawan man named Miyagi. During their first karate lesson, Mr. Miyagi asks Daniel if he’s ready to begin learning, and Daniel replies by saying he “guesses so.” That wasn’t the answer Miyagi was looking for. Miyagi then shares the first of what will be many insights that have application way beyond karate. He says, “Daniel-San, walk on road. Walk right side, safe. Walk left side, safe. Walk middle, sooner or later, you get squished just like grape. Here karate the same thing. Either you karate do, yes. Or karate do no. You do karate do “guess so”, squish, just like grape.”
The bible makes it pretty clear that we need to be binary. God wants us either HOT or COLD, not lukewarm. Ones and zeros, on or off.
John 3:16 is probably the most well known verse in the bible. You know, “God so loved the world …” There’s ANOTHER “3:16” you may not have thought about recently, or maybe ever even heard about. It is found in the book of Revelation, so its Revelation 3:16. It’s a quote from Jesus, and He’s speaking to some folks who claim to be a “church” and to be following Him. They’re middle-of-the-road pretenders, and Jesus is angry!
He tells them, “I know your deeds, I know you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!” Then comes the “3:16” verse I mentioned. “So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of my mouth.” Some versions use the words “spew” or even “spit” – but that’s not the word. It’s vomit! Yes, friends, Jesus is actually telling this “church” that their wishy-washy, lukewarm approach to serving Him makes Jesus want to puke. You want extreme?
Today’s verse tells us THE LORD IS MORE PLEASED WHEN WE DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND JUST THAN WHEN WE OFFER HIM SACRIFICES.
Jesus would actually rather that you be a stone-cold hater of Jesus than a half-way, half-hearted pretend follower. You know why? Because at least then it is absolutely clear what side of the road you’re one! There’s no mistake to be made wondering if you’re REALLY serving Jesus. The answer is as clear as night and day. God wants us either HOT or COLD, not lukewarm. Ones or zeros, on or off.
Binary computer code works because the computer world is digital, not analog. Digital systems use discrete signals in a binary format. Off is 0, On is 1. Nothing in between. One or the other. An analog system uses a continuous signal that moves back and forth along the entire spectrum. Up and down, back and forth.
For an “analog believer” anything goes. Multiple ways to heaven? Sure, no problem. Continue in deliberate sin and ignore the clear teaching of the scripture? Why not? What’s the big deal? Pretend to be in love with heaven on Sunday morning and even Wednesday night, but live like hell the other 165 hours of the week? No biggie! We accept everyone here.
But Jesus has a digital approach to discipleship. He wants you HOT or COLD. Ones or zeros, on or off. As soon as He tastes the lukewarm mix He gets sick to His stomach; it makes Him retch and gag. He says, “Follow Me” and then keeps on walking, taking the message of the Kingdom of Heaven to the next person, the next village. And either you DID or you DIDN’T follow Him. Digital discipleship. Ones or zeros, on or off. Jesus makes it simple.
Keith Green was a contemporary Christian musician and songwriter who died in a tragic plane crash about forty years a go. One of his songs had today’s verse as its core theme. Let me share a few of the verses with you.
To obey is better than sacrifice
I don’t need your money, I want your life
And I hear you say that I’m coming back soon
But you act like I’ll never return
To obey is better than sacrifice
I want more than Sundays and Wednesday nights
‘Cause if you can’t come to Me every day
Then don’t bother coming at all
THE LORD IS MORE PLEASED WHEN WE DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND JUST THAN WHEN WE OFFER HIM SACRIFICES
You want extreme? The Jesus of the bible isn’t interested in playing games. He’s going to build a Kingdom, and He’d LOVE for you to be a part of it. He truly would!!! He’s done everything to open the door for you to join Him. He died on the cross and paid the price for your sin. He’s put people in your life who have made you aware of His offer. He’s promised that if you obey and become His disciple He will never leave you or forsake you. He’s done it all.
But He’s walking on to the next life that needs to be touched. He said, “Follow Me” and kept going. He’s on a mission to save all who will come to Him. And there are only TWO possible answers to the question “Are you following Jesus?”
He knows the answer, and He wants YOU to know the answer, as well. Ones or zeros, on or off. Jesus makes it simple.
He said there are only two roads. One of them is as wide as an analog sine wave. Big and wide, easy to follow. Just go with the flow. It leads to hell. But there are ONLY two roads. The other road is tougher, but it leads to heaven. He’s on it, so follow Him.
Or DON’T !!! He wants you to be very clear about which decision you’ve made. Ones or zeros, on or off. Jesus makes it simple.
The ONES are those who are following Jesus, doing what is right and just. Going where He leads and doing what He equips them to do.
The ZEROS are not. Some are playing church, some are playing at life. Some try to be really good people, others couldn’t care less. Some even offer Him sacrifices. But they want their life their way and on their terms. And Jesus lets them have it. On the broad road with all the other zeros.
Ones or zeros, on or off. Jesus makes it simple.
He says “Follow Me.” If you do, you become a disciple. If you don’t, you remain a zero.
And that’s extreme.
THE LORD IS MORE PLEASED WHEN WE DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND JUST THAN WHEN WE OFFER HIM SACRIFICES
