On the eve of March 5, 1836, a letter was read aloud to a rag-tag group of men made up of soldiers, European immigrants, colonists, “Tejanos” (local Mexican natives), politicians, and many other volunteers who had gathered at an old mission site outside of San Antonio to defend Texas liberty. The Mexican government had labeled them “rebels.” Thus, the letter demanded their surrender or expect execution in an inevitable victory by the overwhelmingly large Mexican army surrounding them. Legend says that in response, Colonel William B. Travis pulled out his sword and drew a line in the dirt. He then gave the men a choice: surrender and leave the Alamo, or join him in defending the compound to the death. According to the tale, all but one of the Texas heroes joined Travis on the other side of the line, sealing their fate.
There is a simple spiritual application that can be drawn from that event, “Where do you draw the line in spiritual things?” This is a very important question because so many have drawn a line in one place while others have drawn a line much further away. So, quite similar to those men of the Alamo, the line represents what you are willing to defend! The fact is, God has “drawn a line” in His Holy, inspired word. It is our responsibility to identify where that line is and defend it. It often is a matter of salvation!
For example, almost every religious group that identifies itself as Christian will, without hesitation, “draw a line” when it comes to other world religions. Almost all will agree that Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, and other similar religions who do not recognize or accept Jesus as God’s Son and our savior, are lost. They have drawn a line and are stating that the people in those religions are not saved and will not inherit eternal life in heaven because they don’t believe Jesus is the Messiah. Furthermore, their stance can be defended from the Bible because Jesus Himself said, “Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.” (Matt 10:32). In fact, when Jesus was asked, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?”, His ultimate response was, “Follow me.” (Matt 10:17-21) Therefore, a “line in the sand” can easily be drawn concerning those other world religions because they don’t confess Jesus, nor do they follow Him.
No one really disputes that truth because God is the one who drew that line in His Word. It is His will, His mandate, that we follow His Son (Matt 17:5). He clearly stated that we must believe in His Son if we want to inherit eternal life (John 3:16) and submit to the Gospel if we want to avoid eternal punishment (2 Thess 1:8). So then, the question becomes, “Where else are you willing to draw such a line?” In other words, if you are willing to accept that line with world religions, then where else is that line identified in God’s word that you are willing to defend and stake your soul upon? Remember, where you draw the line can affect your salvation, just like the line did for all those world religions on the “other side of the line.”
Where do you draw the line concerning baptism for salvation, instrumental music in worship, church leadership, the kingdom of God, and the infallibility of Scripture? God has certainly drawn a line for each of those subjects in the Bible and there are many more. The question returns to you, “Will you surrender to the world and false religions, or will join God in defending His truth?” (1 Peter 3:15)
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