How Many Chances?
Yesterday was the 22nd anniversary of my son’s going to be with the Lord. Time has eased the pain somewhat, but our hearts will not be totally mended until we see him again in heaven. The hope that keeps us going is what I want to talk about today.
I was recently in a conversation about the fairness of God and it caused me to review my thinking on the subject. Many of you reading this will likely not agree with my position, but hear me out before you decide.
There have been many instances of trials
in my life that could have wreaked havoc on my faith in God. Here are just a few to add seriousness to my comments. I have buried two children, was on disability for two and a half years from a motorcycle accident where a lady making an illegal left turn took me down, I have been swindled out of a large sum of money, and there are more I won’t bore you with. The point I want to make is this, any one of these life-changing events could have easily allowed me to think God unfair. I could have asked, “Why me?”
I’m sure many of you have had similar or worse events in your life. Hopefully you turned to God for comfort and didn’t turn your back on Him. If you’ve never experienced the peace of God or if you don’t know where you’ll spend eternity, please read the following with an open mind, asking yourself, “What if this is true?”
Today’s title is intended for people
who think rules and laws don’t apply to them and who think God is unfair. The Bible is filled with promises for those who humble themselves and obey God’s rules. For the others, the Bible is filled with warnings. I’ll just list a sample for your consideration.
In Paul’s letter to the Colossians (Col. 2), he addresses false teachers of his day who follow Asceticism, the attempt to achieve holiness by rigorous self-neglect, self-denial, and even self-infliction through such rules as “do not handle, do not taste, do not touch which refer to things destined to perish with use” (v21,22). He goes on to say, “These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.” (v.23)
He continues with an instruction to believers
in Col. 3, “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience…knowing that from the Lord, you will receive the reward of the inheritance v.12. And a warning a few verses later, “For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong he has done, and that without partiality.”(v.25). That simply means that the rich cannot buy their way into heaven, not do the poor receive pity as their entry ticket. Sin is sin and must be dealt with according to God’s plan.
In our last post, Choose Life, you were introduced to the idea of being in or out (only two options) based on your life choices. Today I want to flesh that out a bit starting with a bit of colloquial wisdom “Until the pain or cost of staying the same exceeds the pain or cost of change, no change will happen (auth. unk.)”
In His love, God graciously gives
the unrighteous many chances to turn from disobedience to Him to follow His rules. He did it with Israel who constantly complained and disobeyed. He warned the seven churches in Revelation to repent (turn around) and come back to Him. Time and time again we’re given examples of God’s forgiveness. Remember the story of the prodigal son and the banquet his father threw for him when he returned.
There is a definite downside to making the wrong choice. “…when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord. (2 Thess.1:7-9).
It’s not too late.
“The Lord’s acts of mercy indeed do not end, for His compassions do not fail. They are new every morning;” (Lam. 3:22,23). You are faced with the choice of life or death, eternally. Choose life while there is still time. For more detail, see Steps To Salvation. Thanks for reading.