The Choice (October 16, 2023)

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:31)

As social creatures, we all desire to be accepted by other people, especially those with whom we have or seek close and intimate personal relationships. As a result of this deep human need for affirmation and acceptance, one of our greatest anxieties is the fear of rejection. Perhaps you’ve experienced the emotional pain of being shunned by one with whom you seek a romantic relationship, betrayed by a person you thought was a friend, passed over for a job promotion that you were highly qualified to receive, or otherwise denied something you hold dear or rejected by someone whose favor you sought.

We are all imperfect, sinful human beings who are sometimes unaccepting of others and who become the victims of rejection ourselves. Only God Almighty graciously and faithfully accepts everyone who chooses to enter into a personal relationship with Him through faith in His Son Jesus Christ. To these repentant sinners, God promises forgiveness, salvation, and an eternal home in heaven. True to His nature, however, this just, righteous God cannot tolerate unconfessed sin and must reject those who refuse to accept His provision for their salvation through Christ and, by so doing, sadly elect to spend eternity apart from Him.

God loves all of His human creations, desires that none perish, and wants us to rejoice in His presence forever. These earthly bodies are bound to die, but our souls will spend eternity in either heaven or hell, depending on whether or not we have accepted Christ as our Savior. Endowed by God with free will, the choice is ours! One day we will all stand before Jesus and hear His divine statement of affirmation or rejection. What will the LORD say to you? “I never knew you; depart from Me.” (Matthew 7:23) Or will Jesus welcome you into His eternal presence with these cherished words of acceptance: “Well done, good and faithful servant…Enter into the joy of your lord.” (Matthew 25:21)?

The consequence of “the choice” is eternal! Choose Jesus Christ and receive God’s grace and His gift of salvation. “Choose you this day whom ye will serve….but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)