A Choice to Follow Christ
Gary Waddell - Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee - 6/17/2018
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. ( Josh 25:15)
Let us bypass all of the arguments and discussions for a bit about “choosing” a path in life. Jesus spoke these words to His followers in (John 15:16) Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. Jesus was speaking to His disciples here at this time. (But I accept that also as His word in my life).
It is obvious that in Joshua 15:15 the statement reads to “choose you this day.” Yes; we have the option of “receiving Christ” (John 1:12) or “rejecting Him” (John 12:48). Our Savior made that quite clear in that verse. So let us look at the two choices for a moment: The Bible reads in Romans 12:12 : And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Now, let us for a moment look at the prince of this world, satan, who has his way with this world. The devil is the other option whom multitudes of people choose to serve and follow.
(Isaiah 14:12-23) How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
Let's look at some of satan's credentials revealed to us in the Bible.
• He is a murderer and liar (John 8:44)
• He is a deceiver (Rev 12:9)
• He is the wicked one (1John 5:18)
• He is a thief and destroyer (John 10:10a)
• He is an Accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10)
• He comes as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14)
• He is a deceiver of the whole world (Revelation 12:9)
• And he is doomed by the way (Revelation 20:10) (John 16:11). And tragically those whose names that have not been written in the Book of Life will be there with him (Rev 20:15)
Regarding satan: The Bible says "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (Jn 10:10).
One way he can destroy people is by pulling them away from God's holy word and indoctrinating them into this wicked world. Here are some examination questions to ask yourself.
Are you living and enjoying the fruits of this life and satisfied with your position in this world?
Are you free from the trials and troubles this life has to offer?
Can your money or your credit buy everything you need to enjoy life as you know it?
Are you working for "more stuff" in this world like houses, cars, vacation homes, etc. (more 'things' to take care of)?
Is money and security your driving force in life? Is life one big party for you and your friends?
Do days or months pass by without thanking the LORD God who is our Creator and Provider?
Or have you ever talked to God at all?
Is it possible that you might be serving this world if life is easy and 'laid back?'
Only you know for sure.
Please take some time and examine your life (2Cor 13:5). If you are not serving and following GOD, you are then serving satan – or this world. You have already made your choice – you belong to satan. If you seek heaven as your eternal home, you must come out of this world. The Bible says, Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2:15) Our salvation is not automatic.
No; you do not need to "work" for it (Eph 2:8-9), but you must be born again and trust God. None of us can be "good enough" to go to heaven. All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags the Bible says (Isa 64:6). For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). And so sad to say, that precious "cookie baking" grandmother who we love so dearly is lost, without Christ. Ye must be born again (John 3:3). God wants no one to perish (2 Pet 3:9) and that is why He sent His only begotten Son (John 3:16).
Jesus said, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matt 11:28) and Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God . Again, one must be born again (John 3:5). Mark 6:12 reads, they went out, and preached that men should repent. Turn from your ways - turn from this world. One of satan's desires is to destroy us (Jn 10:10) . Jesus came to bring us 'life' - 'that you might have it more abundantly'.
Jesus is waiting (Rev 3:20) and desires for you to follow and serve Him (John 10:27-28) and not this world. This world has one thing to offer and that is destruction. Maybe pleasures of this life for a moment. That's it! An eternity in hell after that. (And interestingly enough, Jesus spoke more about hell fire than anyone). Jesus offers us “life” and “life ever-lasting.” For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting (Gal 6:8).
Two verses that should bring a sober attitude to those who read the Bible. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matt 7:13-14)
You do have a choice. To do nothing and reject Jesus' payment for our sin debt - OR - to repent and surrender your life to Him now. Jesus said "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3) (Matt 4:17). Jesus spoke that to all of us and not just His listeners 2 thousand years ago. His word stands today just as then.
Repent or Perish.
Call upon Him today. He has paid the price for all. The greatest gift to mankind.
I pray your choice is "for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Rom 10:13).
Do it soon.
Thanks for "Taking 5” - Gary Waddell - iamnotashamed.com
God bless – and bless GOD
