Are We "Polarized"?
Albert E. Farley
To polarize means (socially) “to break up into opposing factions or groupings.” Polarization means “a division into two opposites.” In science, the polarization of light is “the action or process of affecting radiation and especially light so that the vibrations of the wave assume a definite form.” (Webster). Polarized light waves have a simple, orderly arrangement.
The Bible is a “polarizing” book! God’s Word demands a clear distinction between the saint and the sinner, the good and the evil, the right and the wrong. The Holy Bible calls for decision. Sin separates us from God. Isa 59:2. God’s Holy Word calls us to come away from sin and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. Titus 2:11-13.
In the Old Testament, when Moses came down from the mountain and saw the golden calf and the children of Israel naked, dancing, and singing in their worship orgy, he broke the tables containing the ten commandments, burnt and ground the golden calf, cast it into water and made the children of Israel to drink it. He stood in the gate and said, “Who is on the Lord’s side? Let him come unto me.” The Levites came unto him. Ex 32:7-26. Joshua, who succeeded Moses in leading the children of Israel, called the nation of Israel to him when he was about one hundred and ten years old and gave them a polarizing challenge. “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood (Euphrates River), or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Josh 24:25.
Jesus Christ demands our complete allegiance to Him and to His Word. “He that is not with me is against me,” He said. “He that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Mt 12:30. He asked, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Luke 6:46. When we hear the gospel of Christ and believe that Jesus is the Christ, we must repent of our sins. Luke 13:3. We must confess Him before others. We must also be baptized into his death, arising to walk in newness of life. Mk 16:15,16; Rom 6:1-6. Christ will not accept half-hearted discipleship. He threatened to spue the lukewarm Laodiceans out of His mouth. Rev 3:14, 15.
The Lord adds the saved, those who have been called out of the world, to the church. Acts 2:37-47. In fact, the word church means “called out.” The church is in the world but is not of the world. Jn 17:14-17. Too many Christians and too many congregations of the churches of Christ are walking and worshipping like the world and are working and walking with the world! We must not be conformed to this world, but we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds! Rom 12:1,2. Paul declared, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” 2 Cor 6:14-17. Too many Christians and congregations – like Israel of old – want to be like all the nations about them! 1 Sam 8:5,20.
In the final judgment, the holy angels of God will make the last and final separation of all. Mt 13:41. Jesus will separate us one from another as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 25:31-33. He will know exactly where we belong. He will know how we lived – whether we listened to the gospel call and obeyed it from the heart. He will know whether we lived soberly, righteously, and godly. He will know whether we separated ourselves from the world. Jesus will give the final sentence. We will be given eternal life in heaven around the throne of God, or we will be cast into the lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels! This will be the final separation.
Dear friends, do you not believe it will be worth it to hear Jesus say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” when our few days of service on earth are over? Let us deny ourselves, take up our crosses daily, and follow Him! Let us live polarized lives! -Editor.