Mandatory Decision... So, What's Your Choice?

Jesus said, "Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."  (Matthew 7:13-14, NIV)

So which gate are you going through?  Which road are you taking?  Where are you going?  Do you travel with the "many" or are you one of the "few?"

Here's the thing: There are only two answers.  When it comes to God, you make a choice because there is no neutral ground.  Whether you want to or not, you will choose and you life will reflect what you've decided.

Have you ever thought about what keeps a person from making a commitment to God?  What really hinders someone from getting personal with Him?  Some will say it is because they're not sure if He is real, if the Bible is His true Word, or if Jesus really said and did all that is claimed.  I feel sorry for the scoffers who mock without a care, but for the innocent doubtful, I can empathize because uncertainty has crossed my mind and heart, too.  If anybody, sinner or saint, lives long enough, they will have times of doubt, too.  It's just part of being human.  But I remember keeping the faith (even if it felt weak at the time) and seeking God.  He drew near to me and His peace and assurance of truth chased all the doubts and worries away.  Therefore, I believe that if a person will muster up even a hint of faith and wholeheartedly seek the Lord, they will find Him and will come to know that He, His Son Jesus Christ, and His Words are true!

So as far as not coming to the Lord goes, I believe there's something more to it besides the "unbelief issue."  I believe it goes back to the long existing problem that everyone is born with: SIN.  "No man can serve two masters" (see Matthew 6:24), so God's Word can really put a person in an uncomfortable place when He calls us to choose between following His Son Jesus Christ or reject Him, do as we please, wind up spiritually dead, deceived, and eternally lost.  But due to the yearnings of the flesh, some will try to pull off a combo of serving God and doing what pleases their carnal nature.  What happens?  It rips a person apart!  (Just think about putting your left leg on one horse and your right leg on another horse.  Try to ride them both at the same time, and you'll see that you're in for a dangerous, insane ride.)

"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.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever."  (1 John 2:15-17)

This lust and pride defines sin.  Think about this: Sin is a selfish thing!  Don't be deceived by the world...Thousands of shameful acts are sins all committed with purposes of filling a longing for self-pleasure and what that person wants for their own gain.  You see, the Bible says that when we're tempted, we're drawn away by our own lust and enticed.  Conceived lust brings forth sin and when it's all over and done with, sin leads you to death (see James 1:13-15).  We're not just talking about a physical death, but a spiritual one where you are separated from God eternally in a literal fiery, tormenting, never-ending hell.  Hell is not just an idea or a belief held by an old-fashioned backwoods preacher that he talks about to make his sermon more dramatic or "scare people into getting religion."  It's a real place!  It's just as real as Heaven, and both places are just as real as where you're sitting right now reading this article.

Anyway, this selfishness of sin leads to destruction.  And it's selfish to think that we'll enjoy ourselves since we've got "forever to get right with God."  That's one of Satan's biggest gimmicks.  Young or old, none of us know when we'll draw our last breath.  We also don't know when Christ will return to raise His believers up to Heaven in the Rapture.  It's does seem like this world is getting worse and I really believe that Jesus will come soon!  The bottom line is this: All of us need to always be ready!  We need to heed these Scriptures:

"Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded."  (James 4:7-8)

"Therefore, my beloved, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."  (1 Corinthians 15:58)

I pray that you will come closer to the Lord right now and let Him lead you through this life for evermore!

Do You Want To Experience The Love of God?

God wants you to be reconciled to Him.  He wants you to have peace, joy, and hope while you’re on this earth.  He wants you to have eternal life with Him in Heaven when you die.  He wants to cleanse you of all your sins and change your heart.  He wants to be your Savior and your friend.  All this can be done through His Son, Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the only way to God and his death on the cross and resurrection gives us salvation.

All you have to do to start walking with God is say this prayer:

“Dear Jesus, I believe that You died on the cross for my sins because You loved me.  But because You're God, I believe that You were raised from the dead three days later.  I believe that You are alive forevermore and You want to reconcile me to God, the Father.  So come into my heart.  I know I'm a sinner but I'm sorry for my sins and I ask You to forgive me.  Help me to live for You from now on. I give myself, my life, and everything of me to You.  Fill me with Your Holy Spirit to do good for You.  Thank You, Lord, for what You've done and what You are going to do for me!  In Your Name, Amen.”

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:16, 17)

"Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)