Our lives reflect the sum of all our choices. Fortunately, some of the wrong choices we may make in life (with hindsight and upon sober reflection) can be reversed, and then with a sigh of relief we happily make progress. However, with others, reversal is impossible!
For example: Today I had to take three cats to the Humane Society to (hopefully) adopt out to another family. The whole affair took a couple of hours and was an education for me, almost a traumatic one. The facility was extremely busy, with a steady stream of people coming and going. All who entered got into one of two lines: one for the bringing in of pets, or the other for the adoption of pets.
The expressions on faces were something to watch. One line was all smiles, while the other was sober, even to red eyes and tears. I had to fill out detailed forms for each of my cats, and before I was allowed to leave I had to sign a declaration that stated that I understood that upon signing I released all rights in said animals and they became the sole property of the shelter. It would be impossible to reclaim my pets or even make an attempt to inquire as to their welfare! My decision was FINAL!
Yes, other people were having trouble with the realities of this situation. I also have been pondering the meaning and effect of this word FINAL. There is a relatively simple question that will decide your eternal well-being: “What will YOU do with Jesus?” It will require an answer-a FINAL answer.
The issue is not whether He ever existed or whether He was crucified or whether He arose from the dead; history gives abundant proof as to that. The issue is, having been exposed to what God says in His holy Scriptures regarding His eternal Son, Jesus Christ, and what Jesus Christ says of Himself...as to who He is...where He came from...who sent Him...why He came...what the plan of atonement entailed...what He says regarding your personal standing before Him... your desperate need of His salvation...what He said concerning God’s love for you and the way He has provided a way for you to be made righteous in His sight only by His free grace in giving His own life a ransom for your eternal soul...I say the issue is, having been exposed to all of this, What will you do with Jesus who is called Christ?
He is not “a” way (one among many); He is “THE way, THE truth, and THE life,” and no man comes to the Father but by Him. There is no other way to come to God. God is sovereign, but God is also fair. He will take care of those who have not heard of the gospel of Jesus Christ. “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Gen. 18:2525That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? (Genesis 18:25)). You and I have heard, and consequently we are responsible to respond to what God has spoken-and that is fair. Our choices now will become FINAL.
God, having shown His love to us in this way, desires us to come to Him through Jesus Christ. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)). If we do not accept Jesus Christ as Lord, as God commands, He has nothing else to offer but eternal judgment. And that will be FINAL.