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Proper Choices
by Don Pedal The other day I found out that there is a proper way to peel a banana. You peel it from the opposite end of the stem. When you do that, all the strings come off with the peeling. I also found out that there is a proper way to peel an egg. You crack it at the large end and the yoke remains intact. You are probably wondering, what in the world does this have to do with Christian living. I pondered this myself and began to realize that choices are vital to our life and well being. It is not important how we peel an egg or a banana but it highlights the importance of the choices we make in our lives. Some choices are freely made and have little impact on our lives. Others are vital and some can never be corrected. We live in a world of choices. Our western culture is consumer driven and thrives on giving us a plethora of choices requiring instant action and little thought. If your reason tells you that you can't afford it, the media assures you that, if you act right now, you can pay for it in easy installments later by using that little piece of plastic in your purse or wallet. Some of us, however, make our choices differently. Do we really need it? Can we really afford it without using our little plastic friend? We are well aware that every dollar spent must eventually be paid back and sometimes at a heavy rate of interest. We are aware that every company is in business to make a profit. That is their first objective no matter what they advertise. We really have three choices in life. 1) Do it 2) Don't do it 3) Delay or think about it. All three choices have an impact in our lives whether we realize it or not. I say all of this to emphasize there is one choice that will not only affect your life here and now, but forever after. Your life can be rich and satisfying spiritually, leading to eternal life with God, or leading to spiritual misery, damnation and eternal separation from our Creator. What is that choice? Do you wish to be born again? ( John 3:3 ). Many years ago, Jesus said to Nicodemus, " I tell you the truth, no one can enter the Kingdom of God unless he is born of the water and the spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh but the Spirit gives birth to the Spirit". ( John 3:5, 6 ). Two simple words, born again, and yet they are two of the most and important words in scripture. Born again Christians are commonly referred to as people who have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ, confessed their sins and accepted Jesus as their Savior. A born again Christian understands that we are saved by grace, through faith, and it is a gift of God, not works. (Eph.2:8, 9). As important as this message is, why have so many in our churches today never heard it preached from a pulpit, or preached with the importance it deserves? Some have never heard it preached at all. How many people, in the secular world, have no idea what born again means and may never hear the message of salvation. Where is the failure here? Who is responsible? Jesus tells us, "the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few". Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into the harvest field. (Matt.9:37, 38). What if He asks us to go? Are we ready? Surveys show that only one third of all adults believe that there is such a thing as absolute truth. Only half of all adults believe the Bible is true and accurate in all it teaches. Some born again Christians do not believe, or doubt, that Satan is a real being and not some vague force, or simply humanity's evil side. How many believe there are many ways to heaven or that all faiths teach, basically, the same thing? Why would we ignore, or, have a tendency to misinterpret, this vital call to be born again? John 3:19 - 21sheds light on this subject when Jesus says, "Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light that, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God". Many of our seminaries and churches are failing to proclaim the Gospel in all its truth and simplicity. We thus become aware of our commission, as servants and disciples of Jesus, to cry out, make way the path of the Lord! We need to let the light of the Gospel shine through us into the dark world around us. We need to shout from the housetops the message that God loves us right where we are, and wants to have a personal relationship with us daily. Many who are unchurched today will never hear of that precious love unless we bring the message to them in a loving, non-judgmental way, and help them to realize that Jesus has paid the price for our sins already, on the cross. Forgiveness is a free gift Jesus is offering us. When we approach Him in this way, and are sincere, our sins are forgiven and we receive the gift of The Holy Spirit. He will reside within us and our bodies become temples of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the comforter Jesus promised He would send. Once the Holy Spirit indwells us, the chains of sin are broken, and we are empowered to resist sin in our lives. We begin the process of renewal from the inside out. As the quality of a tree is judged by its fruit, so also the presence of the Holy Spirit may be discerned by our spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gemtleness and self control. (Gal.5:22, 23). It is not long before relatives and friends notice changes in us. Our light is beginning to shine into that dark world around us. Each one of us will come to a point in our life where we realize something is missing. It may come as a vague feeling but it is persistent. That may be our Lord reaching out to us to take the next step of commitment. He will never force us to heed His voice --- our free will is ours. I have never heard of anyone dragged into heaven. The free choice is ours. He is waiting patiently to have that personal relationship with you and bless you beyond imagination. Are you willing? Do you know someone with whom you can share this message? Step out and take action now! As a senior citizen, I am dedicated to serving the Lord through sharing my experiences and insights with other believers. My primary focus is upon being an disciple of Jesus and, in being one, I can help others to find their spiritual way also. This article is original and not copywrited Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |