We sometimes sing the song, “Who Is on the Lord’s Side?”  While this wonderful hymn was written way back in 1877 by Frances Ridley Havergal, the question of the song will be relevant until the Lord comes back.  It is the question that Moses asked the Israelites in the wilderness after they turned from God to serve the golden calf made by Aaron (Exodus 32:1-35).  It is a question that we need to ask ourselves from time to time.  Are you on the Lord’s side?  In this hymn, Mr. Havergal asks a series of questions that must be answered correctly for us to affirm that we are on the Lord’s side.  Let us consider together some of these questions.

1. Who will serve the King?

Being on the Lord’s side involves serving Him.  There is just no way around this.  If we are not serving Jesus, regardless of the excuse we make, we are not on His side.  Let us remember that servants serve.  It is not enough to tell others that we are servants of Christ or even to convince ourselves that we are.  If we are servants, then we are serving.

Paul referred to himself as a servant of Christ Jesus (Romans 1:1).  He could honestly do that because he was always busy serving the Lord.  He could say that the grace that God directed toward him, by making him an apostle, was not in vain because he worked so hard in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:10).   That is what servants of the Lord do—they work hard for Jesus.  And that is what those who are on the Lord’s side do as well.

2. Who will help bring other lives to Christ?

As soldiers in the Lord’s army, we are recruiters.  Bringing others to Christ should consume us.  Since we know we are on the winning side, we should want to help as many people as we can change sides, leaving the world behind and joining ranks with Christ.  Love demands that we be in the soul-winning business, and as we do so, we are saving our own souls at the same time (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).  The Bible says, “…he who wins souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30).  Never forget why Jesus came to this world, that is, to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10).  If we are on His side, we will help Him do what He came to accomplish.

3. Who will leave the world’s side?

We cannot be on the world’s side and the Lord’s side at the same time.  This is why Jesus told those who would be citizens in the kingdom that they could not serve two masters (Matthew 6:24).  Still, He knew many would try to do it.  There are too many in the church who want to have one foot in Christ and one foot in the world, but that does not work.  Jesus once said, “He who is not with Me is against Me…”

Are you on the Lord’s side or not?  If you are, give Him your all and stay away from the things of this world.  John exhorts us to love not the world, and reminds us that all that is in the world is not of the Father, and that it is all passing away (1 John 2:15-17).  Will you risk the eternal salvation of your soul for something temporary?

Mrs. Havergal closes each stanza of her song with the words, “By thy grace divine, we are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are thine.”   Yes, we are only on the Lord’s side because, by His wonderful grace, He made it possible.  Of course, that grace involves compliance with the gospel of Christ, including repenting and being baptized (Acts 2:38).  Only those who obey the gospel are truly on the Lord’s side.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.