Yesterday we discussed that God is a covenant maker. If you didn’t get to read the post start here:
https://jelillie.wordpress.com/2012/05/11/heaven-pt-58/
Our covenant is a true blessing! We were helplessly trapped by sin doomed to Hell for our wickedness. Then Jesus died on the cross to take away our sins and to set us free from the addictive power of our sin nature. All we have to do is: turn to Jesus, trust Him and make Him God of our lives. Now, I’m not the brightest bulb in the chandelier but that deal seems like a real win to me.
Yet throughout the world today men and women are trying to pretend that there are better deals or other options. Many go so far as to say Heaven is obtainable without ever acknowledging what Jesus did. That is deception. The Apostle Peter said it this way.
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 NIV
I suppose one of the issues people have is that God doesn’t give the option of negotiating the deal. It’s not like God laid the plan out before mankind and said “Do you like this?” Or “Let’s find a better solution together.”
Nope! God isn’t big into asking our opinions. Judging solely on my own life choices I guess I understand His silence in that regard.
The fact is we are given only one choice choose, Jesus or don’t go to Heaven. It’s sort of the same choice he laid out before the Jews: “Accept My covenant or have your name erased from under Heaven.”
It sounds really hard even narrow-minded until you consider that every way that is not God’s way leads to deception pain and destruction. I guess when you see it that way God’s covenant is really the only viable option!
What do you think?
Reinventing the We'll 
I just pray that are loved ones that have chosen the road of destruction & pain will remember and draw down inside their hardened soil for those seeds that were once planted and call upon His name in their hour of desperation. Though I don’t understand why people wouldn’t want the GREATEST LOVE there is to know or feel, my hope is in the Lord. My hope is that He will water the seeds supernaturally by leading witnesses into their lives and that they would then allow their dry, hard soil to be cultivated so the seed may be able to sprout up with joy & let His light shine upon it.
Thank you, Pastor J for hearing the voice of God and obeying Him through life’s many trials, you are truly an inspiration to me. Thank you, Lord for using Pastor J in so many ways to touch your loved ones. May you pour many blessings over his life and over those he loves. Amen
Thank you Sandy and I am standing in agreement with you for the salvation of your family!
I am so thankful I chose Jesus 5 yrs ago because I can’t imagine living these last 4 yrs without Him. He is my strength, hope, and love. Lord, I pray for those that have heard your word give them a revelation in their heart. Help them to see the joy and hope they can have with you no matter the circumstance just as I have seen these past 5 yrs. As Sandy said, you are truly an inspiration to me as well, Pastor J. Thank you, I love reading your blog everyday.
Thanks Deb! I am so glad that the Lord is calling out to lost sheep continually watching Him find souls for Heaven is truly an amazing sight!
So wonderfully put, Pastor J! I think He loves us and wants the best for all of us. That’s why it has to be His way or no way. God bless you as you continue with this great series!
You are right Deb. While we may not understand the intricacies of the matter God does and so He alone knows the way it has to be. As always it is our part to trust and God’s part to do!
Pingback: Relentless Pt. 1 | Reinventing the We'll
Narrow minded? I suppose so, or even more – not only narrow, but ‘one and only one narrow track’. Would I have it any other way? No way! I’d probably make the wrong choice if given options.
However, after almost 54 years of walking HIS way and experiencing His goodness, His guidance, His instruction, His strength, His enabling, His correction, His encouragement etc along with His continual prersence, I **KNOW** it is the ONLY way, given by the ONLY God, who keeps His covenant and desires the very, very best for me – and guarantees it!
What an amazing God!
You are right Angela! His way is the only way. Jesus made no bones about being narrow minded but openly confessed “narrow is the road that leads to life!”
I liked “God isn’t big into asking our opinions”. It does seem the freedom to choose He gave to us, from Adam and Eve until today, we somehow think we have this thing figured out and think surely we won’t die…how many choices do we have to make before recognizing He is the ONLY way?
I wish I knew the answer to your question Tom. I wonder it as I watch many I love make decision after decision that leads them further and further from Christ!