Be 'All In' for Jesus!

Here’s a history lesson that is a good reminder to us all. When we serve the Lord, we need to be “All In!”

During the time of the Roman republic, the Rubicon River marked the boundary between the Roman province of Cisalpine Gaul to the north-east (which today includes parts of Northern Italy and southern France) and Italy proper to the south (which was controlled directly by Rome and its allies).

In 49 BC, Julius Caesar led a legion (the largest military unit of the Roman army – as many as 5,200 infantry and 300 cavalry) south over the Rubicon River from Cisalpine Gaul to Italy proper to make their way to Rome. This was considered an act of insurrection and treason. In doing so, Caesar deliberately broke the law: If a general entered Italy while exercising command of an army, both the general and his soldiers became outlaws and were automatically condemned to death. Generals were required to disband their armies before entering Italy.

Caesar’s decision to cross the Rubicon River forced General Pompey, the lawful consuls, and a large part of the Roman Senate to flee Rome in fear, and led to the conflict known as the Roman Civil War. Caesar’s victory resulted in the Roman Republic becoming the Roman Empire. According to the Roman historian Suetonius, Caesar uttered the famous phrase “ālea iacta est” (“the die has been cast”).

The phrase “crossing the Rubicon” has survived to today to refer to any individual or group committing itself irreversibly to a risky or revolutionary course of action, similar to the modern phrase “passing the point of no return”. It means to make a decision that cannot be changed; there is now no going back.

When we make a decision to serve the Lord, we need to commit ourselves to never turning back. In Luke 9, several came to Jesus and expressed a desire to follow Him, but they needed to do something else first. One person wanted to first go and bury his father. Another wanted to first go back and say goodbye to his family. What was Jesus’ response (v62)? “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

What is Jesus demanding? It is time to make a decision, to “cross the Rubicon.” It is not time to enjoy the pleasures of the world plus have Jesus in your life to bless you and help you when you are in need. As I mentioned on Sunday, while in high school, I sat on the fence spiritually – one foot in the world and the other trying to live for Jesus. I did not live a life of obvious sin, but I was definitely attracted to the things of the world. My heart was divided. I knew serving the Lord was what mattered in the end, but I was tempted to enjoy the pleasures of this life as long as I could.

One of the turning points for me was John’s warning (1 John 2:15-17). “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” Thankfully I decided to “cross the Rubicon”, to make a decision to follow Jesus and not look back. You too?

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This Sunday, February 8, we continue our series entitled “Step Out in Faith!” with “Joshua: Faith to Possess the Land!” (Joshua 1:6-9). Please invite someone to join you in the building or online for the Live broadcast on either Facebook (Honolulu AG) or our YouTube channel (Honolulu Assembly of God). We Livestream every Sunday to both locations and would love to have you join us!

“Girl Time Lunch & Fun” for all ladies is this Saturday, February 7, at 11:30am. Bring a friend or two plus something delicious to add to the table. Our Drive-Through Prayer outreach in the parking lot is also Saturday from 11am-1pm.

On Sunday, February 15, everyone is invited to stay after the service for an “ono-licious” Lunch in the Fellowship Hall. (No need to bring anything for the meal; everything will be provided.) After the lunch, all members are invited and encouraged to stay for the Annual Meeting of the congregation as we rejoice in the Lord’s faithfulness in 2025.

Aloha ke Akua!