Growing up, one of my favorite singing groups was the Eagles. Although “Desperado” was not my favorite song by them, its lyrics have always stuck with me. Only now, as a believer, do I understand the song’s hidden meaning – or at least the hidden meaning I take from it.
“You’ve been out riding fences for so long now,” and “Don’t you draw the queen of diamonds, boy… she beat you if she’s able…you know the queen of hearts is always your best bet.” “Now it seems to me some fine things have been laid upon your table…but you only want the ones you can’t get.” Sadly, many people live the self-defeating life described in this song.
As believers, we know there is a better way than sitting on the fence. We must follow our Savior, Jesus Christ, with unwavering commitment. We cannot serve two masters, as our allegiance will be with one or the other. (Matthew 6:24) Jesus instructs us to store our treasures in Heaven rather than on Earth, where our treasures will be from the heart, and our hearts will be where our treasures are. (Matthew 6:19)
To be a genuine follower of Jesus and be entrusted with the teachings of the scripture, you must always speak the truth and not contradict yourself. The only way to grasp the truth is by immersing yourself in the scripture, allowing it to become a part of you. (Get into the word, so the word gets into you)
Pastor Chris often says that we spend hours upon hours texting, posting, and scrolling, time better spent reading God’s word, which is true. But what about other masters you might serve? Money, alcohol, drugs, pornography, sexual immorality, to name a few? All sins that keep you away from the Word of God but, even worse, separate you from your Savior, Jesus Christ.
Remember this: If you have truly been saved, you only serve one master – the Great I Am. Though we are human and prone to sin, the Holy Spirit convicts us when we do wrong, and we must admit and repent. As the road to life is narrow and the gate small (Matthew 7:13), the fence has only one side where the gate can be found.
Luke 9:23-24, Jesus says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”