For three hundred years part of the land in the border region between England and Scotland was claimed by both countries. This area became known as the Debatable Land. Neither country was able to exercise control over the fierce warriors who inhabited the region. These lords and barons would often come out of their castles with their followers and attack towns and estates in the surrounding country. They grew rich and powerful by their looting. Since they owed allegiance to no authority higher than themselves, they could act in a lawless way and not fear punishment.
Their piratical ways came to an end when King James VI of Scotland became also King James 1 of England in 1603. With the united power of both countries, he took steps to pacify the border and end the lawlessness. He sent soldiers to tear down the fortified towers of the raiders and, rounding up their families, sent them to Ireland.
Another part of the world which has been dubbed Debatable Land is the coast of Georgia. The Spanish had a fort in St. Augustine, which they felt gave them a right to the land of South Georgia. The English felt their claim was established by a wilderness outpost at Fort Frederica. The coast for the most part was sparsely populated and a haven for dangerous pirates. The Spanish Governor from Florida led a force of three hundred to attack the English and drive them out of the Debatable Lands. He lost the battle of Bloody Marsh, with the result that South Georgia came firmly into English control. It remained an English colony until the American Revolution.
If you perform a word search on “Debatable Lands” on the computer, both these places would pop up. There is a third place which you should know about, which is hotly contested by two opposing countries. Lawlessness too is a chief characteristic of this place. The other Debatable Lands were from long ago and don’t directly involve you. However, the conflict going on right now for this other Debatable Land will have a tremendous impact on your life. In fact, the battle may be going on right now in your heart and life!
How does this directly affect you and me? We live in a war-torn region. We are in the midst of the immense conflict between good and evil-between God and Satan. At some future moment the Lord Jesus will return, judge His enemies, and set up His kingdom on earth. Then will begin His glorious reign. Until that time the world will be in a state of turmoil.
You can’t stand on neutral ground in this conflict; there is no neutral ground. You are either on one side or the other; to steer a neutral course and have nothing to do with either side is an utter impossibility.
Oh, be wise and repent and put your faith in Christ, He is the Victor over death and the grave, and in His name alone is there salvation for sinful man. “There is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:1212Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)).