There are always those voices who would like to eliminate this matter of decision from Christianity. There is something in human nature that hates to decide “Yes” or “No.” Recently there was a radio announcement that next week was National Procrastinators’ Week.
“Actually,” said the announcer, “they were going to hold the celebration this week, but the organizers decided to put it off until next week!” Our modern society has made such a virtue of openness and neutrality that we forget it is the fundamental choices we make that shape all of life and, for that matter, the life to come.
I heard about a woman who said she would not become a Christian because there were too many obstacles in the path of belief. “I’m not an atheist, but I’m just not convinced that God exists or that Christianity is the right religion. I’m going to withhold judgment and consider the matter impartially.”
That’s fine, except that I hope this woman decides pretty soon. She is 87 years old, and her so-called “neutrality” is fast becoming academic!
The simple fact is no one can remain neutral on the issue of Jesus Christ. We must decide for or against him. To not decide is to decide against Him. The Bible is very clear that there is no universal salvation. That is, Jesus died for every person, but every person is not saved automatically.
Salvation is something that Christ did for us, and we must act upon that in order to make it our own. We must repent of our sins, that is, agree with what God says, “that all have sinned,” and receive Jesus Christ as our Savior.
“As many as received Him to them gave He the power to become the sons of God.”
So salvation requires a decision, a choice on our part. We must decide; we must choose to follow Him. Deuteronomy 30:19: “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” Joshua 24:15: “Choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
How do we choose life? The Bible says in Colossians 3:4, “Christ, who is our life.” 1 John 1:12: “He that hath the Son hath life, He that hath not the Son hath not life.”
We must choose life and life is only found in Jesus Christ.
The best news is that God has already chosen us. He has decided that whosoever will may come to Him. Everyone is accepted who receives His gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. John 15:16: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.”
Will you choose Him? Will you make a conscious decision to follow Jesus Christ?
Jack Ward is the pastor of Tomahawk Missionary Baptist Church.