Clear And Defined Decision

Consider God’s attributes. He is patient, kind, loving, and compassionate. He gives everyone what is good and pleasant, such as sunshine and warmth. He provides the seasons that bring enjoyment with each pleasure that comes with them. For example, autumn is my favorite, with the coolness of the night and days mixed with the colors, sounds, and smells of the changing foliage and season. 

Another example would be spring and summer. As the frigid winter melts into new life and growth, we look forward to the fun and sun of the hot summer days. God provides all kinds of good things for everyone on earth. He gives all sorts of flavors and exciting types of food, along with laughter and joy, to our hearts to lift our spirits. He provides enjoyment, satisfaction, a sense of accomplishment, and personal pride when we succeed in the work we have set out to achieve. Every feeling in our hearts that gives us some comfort is from God.

James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” 

With this in mind, you can understand that God is good, but I would remind you that God is also holy, pure, righteous, and the judge of all things good and evil. In Him, there is nothing evil. He is morally perfect, and because of this, He can not tolerate wickedness, deceit, foul tongues, or malicious behavior. Since He is the judge, there will come a day when His patience will end. Every person will have a day of judgment when a just sentence for their sins will be pronounced and levied. 

God speaks the truth of every person on earth in Romans 3:23 when it says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Earlier in that chapter, He states in verses 10-18, “As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” 

Do you realize that you are also a sinner? Consider your thoughts, words, and deeds. Have you lied, stolen, hated others, or coveted things that were not yours? Have you dishonored your parents, applauded evil behavior in your heart, gossiped, or spread rumors about someone you disliked for any reason? Have you cheated, tricked, or manipulated people to cause your circumstances to favor yourself?

I guarantee no one on earth can truthfully deny that they have committed at least a few of these things. If you are honest, you have to admit that you are guilty of most of them in the thoughts or motivations of your heart. Please understand that God sees straight into your heart, and nothing goes through your mind or heart that is hidden.

1 Samual 16:7 “For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 

A day is coming when God will punish, and His wrath will be for all who commit evil on the earth, who will receive what they have earned. Yes, He is infinitely patient and longs for everyone to turn away from their wicked ways, repent, and follow Him with righteous thought and behavior. But if you refuse Him, you will not miss your day of judgment. Eternity is unlike today, when you can skip out on the court.

There is good news: Jesus Christ was sent by God the Father to give each of us a chance to be forgiven. Jesus, the Son of God, perfect in all His ways, suffered and died for your sins. He sacrificed His life to forgive your sins, and His pure blood can atone for them, which means, as I said before, you can be forgiven. You may not know it, but every time you lie, steal, or commit any other sin, you have broken God’s commandments, His Law. You are a lawbreaker and a criminal in His eyes.

But Jesus can change everything for your eternity. Hell is God’s prison and place of eternal punishment for those who sin without repentance and a Savior. Jesus is the Savior if you believe in Him, realize your offense toward God, turn from all wickedness to repent, and do what is good and right in God’s eyes. You are often not as good as you think in your own mind. But Jesus desires to change your heart, mind, soul, and eternal destination.

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 “Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

Today is the day of true salvation. Maybe you have been completely lost and wandering the world enjoying sin. Perhaps you had lived inside the church and lived a lie practicing religion, making people think you were good when in your heart you held all kinds of sinful thoughts and desires. Maybe you have not entirely given yourself over to the leading and control of God’s plan for your life. You believed in God but have not surrendered everything your heart, soul, direction, hopes, and dreams to His plan for you. Now is the time to repent and allow Him to clean your heart. Today is the day to make a clear and defined decision to do whatever He says and go wherever He leads. 

So, what will you do? Will you choose life and His goodness, or will you choose your way, which is not good or right, even though you may think it is? Do not refuse His loving hand. Do not refuse His offer to cleanse you and give you much better things and rewards in Heaven after this life ends. Choose life, choose love, and choose Jesus Christ. Choose Him to be your Lord, Savior, and the guide that will point you in the right direction. 

See, you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject Him who warns from Heaven. At that time, His voice shook the earth, but now He promised, “Yet once more, I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” Hebrews 12:25-26