Which Option have You Chosen?
© 2021 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)
Most individuals want the coming year to be better than the last one. That’s why many make new resolutions for the New Year. However there are really only two options. From the beginning of time, God has been separating light from darkness, sheep from goats, and life from death. These separations focus on the central figure of history. He is the redeemer, God the Son, Jesus Christ. He is the promised Messiah. He is the crucified and risen redeemer. He is the one who shall separate all of earth’s people into two distinct groups. One group shall be given eternal life. The other, shall face eternal death and torment.
Christ’s statements to the religious leaders, about Himself, clearly indicated that He was and is God the Son. Yet these leaders rejected Him as a threat to their own authority. They even tried to excuse their rejection on the false premise that His statements about Himself had been ambiguous. Jesus rebuked them.
“Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.” (John 10:24-30)
Notice that, in this rebuke, Jesus told those doubting religious leaders that they were not His sheep. That’s why they didn’t believe. On the other hand, all of His sheep, hear His voice and follow Him. He gives them eternal life and they are eternally safe. This guaranty is as secure as God Himself!
This coming year, you may die. If you are one of Christ’s sheep you’ll begin your glorious eternity living with Him. But if you die without trusting Christ to save you from your sins, you’ll be forever lost. From that eternal condition there shall never be any hope of relief.
Perhaps, instead of making new resolutions, it would be better to call upon the Lord Jesus Christ. Ask Him to be merciful to you, a sinner, and commit yourself to following Him as Lord and Savior. Then, whatever happens, you’ll be eternally safe.
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