No one I know likes to live in limbo while waiting on a contract to go through on a house, a phone call saying you got that job, getting a yes to a new relationship or any other life-changing event.  What is living in limbo? If you say that someone or something is in limbo, you mean that they are in a situation where they seem to be caught between two stages and it is unclear what will happen next.  Living in limbo is very frustrating, especially to people like me who want to know the goal with a plan to reach that goal. 

Living in limbo actually happens in life and relationships all because a decision as not been made.  Yes—or no? Decide!  

While casting out yet another demon who has occupied a man’s heart, mind, and soul, keeping the man from making decisions, Jesus comes and changes everything.  As he is criticized for this miraculous healing by limbo living people standing around, Jesus uses the opportunity to teach about the greatest decision we will ever make and how to guard it with our lives!  Yes—or no?  Decide!

There is no neutral ground. Decide! Our very lives depend on making the right decision to no longer live in limbo!

Luke 11, The Message

No Neutral Ground

^14-16 Jesus delivered a man from a demon that had kept him speechless. The demon gone, the man started talking a blue streak, taking the crowd by complete surprise. But some from the crowd were cynical. “Black magic,” they said. “Some devil trick he’s pulled from his sleeve.” Others were skeptical, waiting around for him to prove himself with a spectacular miracle.

^17-20 Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Any country in civil war for very long is wasted. A constantly squabbling family falls to pieces. If Satan cancels Satan, is there any Satan left? You accuse me of ganging up with the Devil, the prince of demons, to cast out demons, but if you’re slinging devil mud at me, calling me a devil who kicks out devils, doesn’t the same mud stick to your own exorcists? But if it’s God’s finger I’m pointing that sends the demons on their way, then God’s kingdom is here for sure.

^21-22 “When a strong man, armed to the teeth, stands guard in his front yard, his property is safe and sound. But what if a stronger man comes along with superior weapons? Then he’s beaten at his own game, the arsenal that gave him such confidence hauled off, and his precious possessions plundered.

²³ “This is war, and there is no neutral ground. If you’re not on my side, you’re the enemy; if you’re not helping, you’re making things worse.

^24-26 “When a corrupting spirit is expelled from someone, it drifts along through the desert looking for an oasis, some unsuspecting soul it can bedevil. When it doesn’t find anyone, it says, ‘I’ll go back to my old haunt.’ On return, it finds the person swept and dusted, but vacant. It then runs out and rounds up seven other spirits dirtier than itself and they all move in, whooping it up. That person ends up far worse than if he’d never gotten cleaned up in the first place.”

²⁷ While he was saying these things, some woman lifted her voice above the murmur of the crowd: “Blessed the womb that carried you, and the breasts at which you nursed!”

²⁸ Jesus commented, “Even more blessed are those who hear God’s Word and guard it with their lives!”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

The most important decision in our lives, a matter of life or death, stands in front of us.  Our decision will tear down or build up our lives and relationships with others.  Our committed decisiveness has two results:

We will continue to live in a limbo state of mind with wavering beliefs and spontaneous behaviors characteristic of changing winds and shifting sand on the surf—

OR we will solidify our beliefs and behaviors, securing us on the Solid Rock of Truth.

“Decide,” says Jesus. “This is war, and there is no neutral ground. If you’re not on my side, you’re the enemy; if you’re not helping, you’re making things worse.” 

Jesus explains the danger of neutrality living (limbo living).  He illustrated this danger by telling the story of the man and the demon. The man’s body was the demon’s “house”. For some unknown reason, the demonic tenant decided to leave his “house” and go elsewhere. The man’s condition improved immediately, but the man did not invite God to come and dwell within. In other words, the man remained neutral. What happened? The demon returned with seven other demons worse than himself, and the man’s condition was abominable.

Indecisiveness makes life worse than it was before!  So, yes—or no?

• Say yes to Jesus!  Believe and be saved now and for eternity. 
• Leave limbo living.  Stay in communication with God in Jesus Name.  Ask for wisdom to live life to the full.  God loves and “delights” in the all the details of our daily living!  Ask for help!  He loves to give it.
• Know God.  Know Jesus.  Know the Helper—God’s Holy Spirit who lives in those who have decided to follow Him. 
• Know the real enemy—it’s not each other!  Our war is with the fallen angel, Satan who seeks to distract, deceive and destroy our faith, hope and love in our Father—the One who created us, knows us and fights for us.  (See Ephesians 6:12-20)

Decide now.  “…blessed are those who hear God’s Word and guard it with their lives!” –Jesus

I have decided to follow Jesus

I have decided to follow Jesus

I have decided to follow Jesus

No turning back, no turning back.

Lord,

I have indeed decided.  I am not perfect but I know I am perfectly forgiven.  You are still transforming my thinking as you solidify my belief and faith in you.  I see your work of salvation in me as you daily cleanse my heart, remove what does not belong, renew my mind, refresh my soul, and restore the joy and peace in my being no matter what is happening around me.  I love you because you loved me first.  I adore you because you loved me enough to save me from living in limbo that leads nowhere.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

In Jesus Name, Amen