During a sermon at church on day, our pastor talked about Christians who are “straddling the fence”. This brought to my mind one particular day in my childhood when my brother and I were trying to get from one pasture to another. The fences we had to cross were made of barbed wire and were too dangerous to climb over, so we would take turns prying two of the strands open for the other to crawl through. This day, I let my brother through first and then he pried it open for me to crawl through. As I put one leg over and placed my foot on to the ground on the other side, I realized that my hair was stuck on the top strand and I couldn’t move! I was literally straddling that barbed wire fence!
Now just imagine how uncomfortable that was being stuck there atop that razor sharp barbed wire with one leg on each side! I couldn’t go back the way I came from and I couldn’t move forward to the other side. Isn’t this just like the Christians that want to keep one foot in the old way of life and one foot in their new life with Christ? They are stuck. They cannot be fully surrendered to either side.
One side of this fence is the old sinful life. Think about a new Christian that hangs on to past sins. They have the Holy Spirit residing in them, so they experience conviction. No matter how hard they try, going back to the old sinful life will never make them happy. So, they are not full surrendered to sin. (2 Timothy “God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.")
On the other side of this fence is a new life in Christ. They see others that have peace and joy and seem to flourish in the Lord’s work, but they just can’t get to that place in their walk because that familiar sin keeps them tied to their old life. They are afraid to step over into the unknown. So, they are not fully surrendered to God. (Galatians “But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.”)
This is a very uncomfortable position to be in! The bible tells us in Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.” Christians straddling the fence are trying to serve two masters and they are miserable. Why would we choose to live this way?
As I crouched there, stuck between those strands of barbed wire with my hair holding me in place, all I wanted was to be free. I think that’s what Fence-Straddling Christians want- just to be free. My brother was there to help me and untangle me from that fence. He pulled me through to freedom on the other side. I believe our job as Christians is to help our brothers and sisters get free. I John 5:16 “If you see a Christian brother or sister sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life.”
Are you straddling the fence, stuck between two lives? Ask the Lord to rescue you today. Do you know someone that needs your help getting off of that fence? Commit to pray for them today. Abundant life is waiting…
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