The GREAT “Tug of War”
“Tug of War” is a fun adventure we enjoyed when we were children (or at least I did). On one side, brute strength reigned, and on the other side, brute strength reigned. In the middle, a rope existed with a ginormous knot marking the center, the line each team DID NOT wish to cross.
Now, if you have ever participated in a “Tug of War,” then you know exactly what the “point of no return” feels like—once you’ve reached the centermost spot of no return.
- A team of strength would line up on one side and pick up their side of the rope.
- The other team of strength would line up on the other side and pick up their side of the rope.
Where the team members positioned their strength was quite important, for the ANCHOR needed to be at the uppermost END of the ROPE.
- The smallest (and somewhat weakest) team member was placed near the centermost knot.
- The smallest and weakest one would cross into the enemy territory—First.
The important concept of “Tug of War” really remains quite simple:
Never Stop Pulling on the Rope.
Before the Scripture, let us remember this truth: SATAN HATES US! & SATAN WANTS TO DESTROY US, so he prowls, seeking the one he may devour!
“The woman
(The Revelation to John 17: 4-6a NAS)
[the prostitute of Satan]
was clothed in purple and scarlet,
and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls,
having in her hand a gold cup full of abominations
and of the unclean things of her immorality,
and on her forehead a name was written,
a mystery,
“BABYLON THE GREAT,
THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS
AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS
OF THE EARTH.”
And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints,
and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. . . .”
- Satan continually tempts us to pull away from following Jesus.
- The devil willingly wants us to walk away from our first love, from Christ Jesus, our Savior.
Our enemy entices us with a better, a more comfortable, a more manageable existence here on earth, never revealing that what he’s selling is a LIE.
Compromise is so easy.
One baby step, followed by a second, then a third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eight, ninth, and before we are even fully aware, there we are—away from our first love.
After the historical crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, He appeared to many: to Mary Magdalene, to some of His followers, to His apostles, and also to the two men who were walking away from Jerusalem, traveling the road leading to Emmaus. Jesus walked along beside these two, but they did not recognize Jesus. As they walked, they spoke to Jesus about the events that just occurred in Jerusalem, and the men were amazed when Jesus seemed “unaware” of the events. Then we come to the moment when Jesus opened their eyes—to really SEE.
“And He said to them,
(The Gospel According to Luke 24: 38-39 & 42-45 & 48-49a NAS)
“Why are you troubled,
and why do doubts arise in your hearts?
See My hands and My feet,
that it is I Myself;
touch Me and see,
for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”
And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.
. . .
[then Jesus asked the two men for food to eat, a quite strange request, it seems]
“They gave Him a piece of a broiled fish;
and He took it and ate it before them.
Now He said to them,
“These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you,
that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, . . .”
“You are witnesses of these things.
And behold,
I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; . . .”
- Servants of the Lord know the mystery & the great revelation.
- Servants of Jesus see the glory of the Savior.
- Servants of Christ do not live for applause but live for the One who is coming.
We have been called to follow Jesus and to NOT compromise to the devil’s schemes, ploys, and lies.
- We are to live as ambassadors, showing those around us: JESUS.
- We must remain faithful to Him.
The great Bible theologian, A.W. Tozer said:
“What comes to mind when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”
- Your worldview is NOT for sale.
- Your faith is NOT for sale.
The GREAT “Tug of War” has ALREADY BEEN WON & as a believer, as a follower of Jesus—
YOU ARE ALREADY ON THE WINNING SIDE!
Because of JESUS as the “anchor”—YOU HAVE WON!
“Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
(The Letter to the Hebrews 10: 35-39 NAS)
For you have need of endurance,
so that when you have done the will of God,
you may receive what was promised.
“FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE,
HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME,
AND WILL NOT DELAY.
BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH;
AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK,
MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM.”
But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction,
but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.”