The Right Position
J. Cross, D.D. Exodus 32:26 Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD's side? let him come to me… I. GREAT DANCER OF DELUSION HERE. 1. Think not that you are on the Lord's side because you have been baptized and confirmed. You may have broken the covenant and trampled upon its mercies. 2. Think not that you are on the Lord's side because you attend the Holy Communion. It cannot make a saint of a hypocrite. 3. Think not that you are on the Lord's side because you take pleasure in religious services. Herod heard John gladly, but would not abandon his vicious course of life. 4. Think not that you are on the Lord's side because you are conscious of no hostility to Him. Few men, however depraved and guilty, really believe themselves the enemies of Christ. Nothing special has occurred to call forth their opposition. 5. Think not that you are on the Lord's side because you meditate with delight upon His character. Such is the constitution of the human mind, that it cannot help admiring a high degree of virtue. No doubt the conscience of hell itself is with God. 6. Think not that you are on the Lord's side because you faultlessly perform all your social duties. The young ruler. 7. Think not that you are on the Lord's side because you sometimes experience slight compunctions for sin. Felix, Agrippa. 8. Think not that you are on the Lord's side because you cherish in your heart an ardent desire of salvation. Who has not had such desires? Who would not die the death of the righteous? 9. Think not that you are on the Lord's side because you show a commendable zeal in the propagation of your religious opinions. The Jesuit is more zealous than you. So are the Hindoo, Mussulman, Mormon. 10. Think not that you are on the Lord's side because you are successful in your efforts to promote Christianity around you. Have you ever equalled the success of the Arabian impostor or of the profligate saints of Utah? 11. Think not that you are on the Lord's side because your fair exterior makes others regard you as a true servant of God. II. What is it, then, to be on the Lord's side, and HOW ARE YOU TO ASCERTAIN YOUR TRUE POSITION? What is implied in loyalty to God and an alliance with Jesus Christ? It implies baptism, for this is the entrance into the Christian covenant. It implies confirmation, for this is the public recognition and ratification of that sacred compact with the Lord. It implies Holy Communion, for this is the formal and frequent repetition of the believer's oath of allegiance to his King, the Captain of his salvation. But it implies much more, which is involved in all these, and without which all these can make no man a thorough Christian. If you are on the Lord's side, you are for His Church, against all schism; for His truth, against all heresy; for the faith of His saints, against all human theories and speculations. (J. Cross, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD'S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. WEB: then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, "Whoever is on Yahweh's side, come to me!" All the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him.