Articles
Choose God
Choose God
THERE IS NO THIRD CHOICE!! I believe there are folks who seem to believe there really is. By that I am referring to the ones who believe they are able to please God by simply being 'GOOD PEOPLE"-- and think they can get to heaven on their own merits. You have probably met folks like that, I know I have.
The Scriptures are our guide to heaven, so let us always examine what God tells us through the authority of the New Testament. We find the Gospels giving us a word picture of the life of Jesus, telling us how He prepared the Apostles for the time when He would go back to heaven and the Father. Then, beginning in the book of Acts, we find them (Apostles) preaching and teaching the Gospel Plan He put in place before going back to heaven. (Note Acts 1-2) Throughout Acts and the rest of the New Testament we have a record of them (Apostles and the Christians) teaching that same Gospel. Why? So men could be saved from their sins! God's plan, not man's.
So let us observe some of Jesus' words given in the book of Mark.
"And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed (faith) and has been baptized SHALL BE SAVED; BUT HE WHO HAS DISBELIEVED SHALL BE CONDEMNED (LOST)." Mark 16:15-16)
Jesus just gave men two choices -- either listen, and accept God's plan by faithful obedience, or be lost. Not too hard to understand right?
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOEVER BELIEVES (FAITH) IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but THAT THE WORLD SHOULD BE SAVED THROUGH HIM. " (John 3:16-17) (Luke 19:10)
The Gospel is God's plan to save man, and Jesus is His Son who put the power in that Gospel. (Romans 1:16) (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)
"But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we SHALL BE SAVED FROM THE WRATH OF GOD THROUGH HIM" (Romans 5:8-9)
So, then, God has chosen the plan, man must make his choice to listen, obey, and look forward to a home in heaven, or reject that plan and be separated eternally from God and His Son. The realm of time still exists, however He has promised to send Jesus back again, when God decides on His terms. (Acts 1:11)
When Jesus comes again our opportunities to make a choice will cease. THERE IS NO THIRD CHOICE!! Either choose the one God sent or be lost!!
What has been your choice? As long as time exists, we can make that choice -- and look forward to a heavenly home with our Father. Make sure you make the right one!! God wants you (and I ) to be in heaven one day.
Ross
