What Jesus Did! 'No Middle Ground' — Matthew 12:30

Thursday, June 12, 2025

[Jesus continued:] "Anyone who isn't with me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me."
— Matthew 12:30 NLT

Key Thought

So often as human beings, we want to do what I call "play in the gray." Rather than seeing issues as black or white, right or wrong, good or evil, we often say, "Well, it's not all that cut and dried. It's not really a black or white issue; it's really more a gray issue." Jesus does not allow us to "play in the gray" about his identity or our commitment to him. If we are not for him, we are against him. Being lukewarm, undecided, noncommittal, is simply another way of opposing Jesus. So let's begin today to daily live with unabashed dedication in our service to the Lord Jesus Christ!

Today's Prayer

Loving and Almighty God, I confess that sometimes I do not want to take a stand on a controversial issue that might get me criticized or ridiculed. But today and each day that follows, Father, I want to serve Jesus without compromise. I don't want to hedge on my devotion and loyalty to him. As I commit myself to his service, please further empower me by your Spirit with boldness to clearly, yet sensitively, proclaim my allegiance to Jesus Christ as my Lord. In Jesus' holy name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Acts 4:12
  • Matthew 16:24-27
  • Matthew 10:38-39

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

Isn't Jesus Enough?
Article by Phil Ware
Why do we run after other things to add to Jesus? Phil Ware continues his messages out of Colossians; this one focuses on Jesus being enough and anything added to Him is less.
James
Article by Phil Ware
How can the younger brother of Jesus help us find our way to hope? Phil Ware lets us journey with James, the half brother of Jesus, through the cross and resurrection to find our way to hope and confidence about our future.

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 12:30 NLT — [Jesus continued:] "Anyone who isn't with me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, June 12, 2025

Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Each Day He Carries Us' (Ps. 68:19)
"Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Hebrews 11:6
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Genesis 1:5
"The evening was "darkness" and the morning was "light," and yet the two together are called by the name that is given to the light alone! This is..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'First Mission Is Completed!'
"Dear Disciple, In today's verses, Luke writes about the last part of Paul and Barnabas' first missionary journey. As you saw yesterday, they..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!