A friend told about the answer his dad used to give him as a kid when things weren’t going well. “Just think,” he’d say, for example, “in a hundred years the fact that you had the argument with this guy won’t matter at all!” Almost certainly, a true statement.
But here’s another absolutely true statement: If you’re old enough to read this now, I guarantee that sometime during the next one hundred years you will have come to grips with the fact that Jesus is the Lord, just as the Bible says He is.
One way or the other, you will know. You’ll either be in heaven with Him bowing your knee in awesome worship, thanking the Lord that you made the decision to be born again, or you’ll be in hell bowing your knee with the unspeakable regret that you failed to heed this warning.
I hear the scoffers cursing me now. “Who does he think he is, telling my future?”
Okay, so you don’t believe me. That’s unfortunate, but it does not change the facts, the Truth. Whether you believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life or not, does not change the fact that He is.
Anyone, having heard what the Bible has to say about eternity and the two places where it can be spent, who refuses to believe and take action plays with fire, literally. No, God does not send people to a lost eternity, but because He loves us so much, He does let each of us make our own choice – either “For” or “Against” Him.
I often think of Mohamed Atta and his merry band of thugs who with all sincerity flew jetliners into their 911 targets. Instantly upon impact they all realized that they had chosen to believe a lie. No Allah. No virgins. Just eternal judgment.
Please heed the Truth today. Be born again (John 3) and bow your knee now, so that on the day you meet Jesus you won’t be forced to do it on your way to eternal darkness.
You’re in Boardman Country!
Make yourself at home and grab a Bible,
Brad
Hi Brad took me a while to figure out how I was going to respond to your current post. I personally believe you have the right to believe whatever you feel is right for you. I also believe that anyone else has the right to believe in what is right for them (in a positive fashion). So, in terms of freedom of speech, I think your post is a powerful, outspoken message on how you feel best 🙂
.-= Diane´s last blog ..Sitting Still Is Not Going To Help You =-.
Thanks Diane, for the thoughtful comment.
Admittedly, my posts are frequently outspoken. That is by design and for several purposes.
First, don’t you know that everyone’s entitled to MY opinion? 🙂
Next, I love exercising, as you say, my privilege of free speech.
Also, though, I have a responsibility before God to reason with folks concerning the condition of their souls. I’m not to try jamming Truth down their throats. Obviously, no one is FORCED to read my opinions or to agree, but I will take any opportunities that come my way to tell others what I believe and why. The Bible says that I’m to speak the truth in love.
I know there may be people who stumble across my posts, read them and get their hackles up and that’s perfectly okay. As you say, they all have the right.
However, I may well cause someone to actually think about what comes after this life. To that end I plan to stir the pot.
Meanwhile, my non-religious friend, you’re the best! 🙂
Good to see you exercising freedom of speech and religion, as I have done. Thanks, also for your honest and truthful comment on my post. KEEP ON BROTHER!!
@ Barbara – Always good to hear from you, Barbara. Additionally, we pray.
You hit the nail on the head Brad! I AM non-religious but I DO believe. I just do not believe other men (or women) on this planet know better than anyone else what’s best or right for the rest. Too many religious “crusades” have been, and continue to be, the reason for a lot of heartache in this world. That need to be the ONLY true religion stuff frightens the heck out of me. I believe it’s a one on one thing 🙂
.-= Diane Scott´s last blog ..World Travel On Your Mind? British Airways to the Rescue! =-.
Believe it or not, Diane, I’m not “religious” either. I do, however, have a “one on one” friendship with the Lord Jesus and I try as much as possible to share the benefits of that friendship with others because I care about them, not because I “need” them to see things my way.
I believe the Bible to be the truth, the inspired Word of God. It does not simply contain truth. It is the truth. Therefore, it will never work for me to go through it using a black highlighter, choosing which parts to believe and which not to believe. Hence, my “rigidity.”
It’s obvious that there are parts of it that are up for interpretation, but the parts that have to do with the salvation of souls are utterly clear and I’ve staked my eternal destiny on them.
These are simply things I thought of while reading your comment. I’m not trying to spar with you, just expressing my thoughts.
Thanks, as always, for the dialogue. 🙂
I love your simple honesty.
.-= Karen´s last blog ..Favorite Christmas Song =-.
I read this again to remember why I am so glad I am saved. You put it so eloquently.
Thanks Karen! Something just hit me that day and I felt it needed to be said in a very “point blank” way. Let the chips fall.