It's On You!

Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013

Straight Talk....!!

By Chuck Cooper, Christian Writer 
rvchuck@msn.com

It’s Your Choice!

(author unknown)

As Joshua was nearing the end of his life, he gathered the children of Israel together at Shechem. And there, from the lips of a man who was close to death, came an appeal that throughout the centuries has moved the hearts of many. Joshua said, “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” [Josh. 24:15].

This challenge, viewed in the light of the New Testament, suggests three outstanding lessons in regard to our salvation.

1.    We must make a choice between God and the devil. To refuse Christ leaves us automatically on the devil’s side. Jesus said, “He who is not with Me is against Me” [Matt. 12:30].

2.    Second, this choice is a personal matter. Joshua said, “Choose for yourselves . . . whom you will serve.” Through faith in Jesus Christ, we can be born again and made a child of God. But we must do the believing for ourselves.

3.    Third, there is an urgency in this charge. “Choose for yourselves this day!” Not next month.  Not a week from today, Not tomorrow, But this day.

My Comments #1:

     a. Accepting or rejecting Christ is by far the most important, life-determining decision you will make – EVER!

     b. It is a personal choice – NO ONE can make it for you. Not your Mom, your Dad, your sibling, your other family members….not your Pastor, your coach, your BFF.  This choice is on YOU.

     c. Jesus Christ is either who He claimed to be or He lied; I have decided to believe Jesus always tells the truth. 

     d. Your choice determines whether you spend eternity in Heaven or in Hell. (Yes, those are real places! Read Revelation 21 & 22 in your Bible.)

My Comments #2:

     a. If you are over age 21 you will recognize how much our country has declined morally. You also see how much our country has fallen away from God and our dependence upon him, both personally and as a nation. Those over 40 clearly understand that our country today is not the same as the one in which we grew up. What once was sin (as defined in the Bible) has now become the new norm.

     b. The falling away from God is one of the “end times” signs that Jesus   told us to watch for.  He also told us to watch for signs in the “heavens.”; to see a dramatic increase in the persecution of those who believe and follow Him (observe how Christians around the world are now being tortured and killed for their beliefs; and others.)

     c. Much interest has developed about “heavenly occurrences” particularly the eclipses of the sun and moon – which many believe portend the imminent return of Christ to gather his true believers.

    d. The “Four Blood Moons” during 2014-15 happen for the first time  EVER occur on important Jewish feast days and in the important years of Shemitah and Jubilee. Many believe than an extremely significant event affecting Israel will occur between now and Sept. 28, perhaps the return of Christ or the end of the world as we know it.

The truth remains the truth whether you believe it or not. 

So, isn’t it prudent that ALL, including you, be prepared spiritually for his return?

Hesitate and you just might be too late!

Blessings