Two Spirits Two Fathers Two Destinations

Today we’re continuing our theme of choices. Our days are filled with them starting with getting out of bed…or not, what to have for breakfast, what to wear, etc. Some choices don’t require a lot of thought and many are done out of habit. But there are those that require a lot of thought, wisdom, research and opinions of “experts.”

The Bible is full of choices.

Have you ever asked yourself why God gives us choices? I believe the biggest reason is He loves us and He created us to have fellowship with Him. How loving would it be for Him to force all His plans on us? We would be nothing more than robots. And even though many of the choices we have are between right and wrong, good and evil, true and false, His grace, mercy, patience and love allow us the freedom to choose.

After the death of Moses,

Joshua was chosen to lead the Israelites into the promised land. This involved fighting with and destroying the surrounding tribes. Chapter 13 of Joshua leads out with a verse that makes me laugh every time I read it: “Now Joshua was old and advanced in years when the Lord said to him, ‘You are old and advanced in years…’” But Israel had not finished the task of possessing the land.

After a speech reminding the Israelites

of all God had done to provide for and protect them, Joshua presented a choice between the false gods of their enemies and the true God who had led them to success in battle. The people responded with a commitment to follow Jehovah. As long as Joseph lived and while the elders who survived him lived, the people chose to serve the Lord (Josh. 24:31). It didn’t last much beyond that.

This is only one example of God’s patience with Israel. God hasn’t changed. We are likewise under God’s protection if we are His children. But like ancient Israel, we have a choice. Today’s title suggests we are either controlled by the spirit of slavery or the spirit of adoption (see Romans 8:15). If we have received the Spirit of adoption, we have the privilege of calling God, Abba Father (Abba = daddy). If we’re not in that relationship as a child of God, our father is Satan, the father of lies (John 8:44).

If you know Jesus as your Savior,

your name was written in the Lamb’s book of life from before the foundation of the world (Rev. 17:8). Your destination is the glory of heaven where we’ll be with Jesus forever. If your name is not in “the book,” your destination is bleak—lake of fire and torment away from the presence of God—(Rev. 20:15).

Let’s recap. There are two spirits wanting control of our minds and our bodies, the spirit of slavery (Satan’s horde) and the Spirit of Adoption (Holy Spirit). There are two fathers, only one of which has your best interest at heart, I AM. The devil has a different plan for you. He ‘came to steal, kill, and destroy [you]” (John 10:10). And there are two destinations: heaven or the lake of fire.

The good news is you still have a choice.

The evidence is clear, if you believe God’s Word. If you don’t, it’s not too late to make a U-turn and get adopted into God’s forever family. Find a Bible-believing church in your area and tell the pastor you want to be adopted. See Steps To Salvation elsewhere on this site.

Thanks for reading.