I used to be a pretty good negotiator. When it came to price when buying a new car, I was downright nasty. And only Andrew would go with me, and he would giggle. But when it came time to buy Theresa a new car, she had to go with me. As did Andrew and his friend. So as she test drove it, and the salesman went into his act, I was crunching numbers in my head. After the proverbial "what will it take to put you into this car today?" Theresa already owned it in her mind, just like the salesman had planned. But when we sat at the little table, to talk price, I found myself alone with the salesman. Who offered me a fair deal for the car. We negotiated a little more, and reached a price, which include 0% financing. Wash it up, let's sign the papers, and we would be off. We thought.
Until the sales manager told us that at the price it didn't include the chrome wheels on the car. Sorry. So I told him we had a deal with them, but he disagreed, his mistake. The wheels were a $1000 extra! So I left him with a choice-sell the car with the wheels as priced, or I would walk. So we did! He was so sure of himself his mouth fell open. And Theresa was disappointed, while Paul and Andrew were still looking at cars. As we all walked to our old car, the boys started giggling-here comes the salesman! Begging to make a deal. My only answer was-we had one, are you going to honor it?
And he did! We had won the negotiation! We got our price! They had underestimated just how important that car was to us. It wasn't. Sadly it had taken more negotiation to get there, but we won. Persistence had won out. And yes, we would have found another red Mustang that day-other dealers would love to meet or beat his deal. Says so right in their ads. So the manager did the right thing-he just didn't want to. We forced his hand, and in an age where the customer is always right, we were-he was wrong. But he had sold a car, the salesman made a small commission, and Theresa had her red Mustang-at a great price. And all was well with the world.
Just because it works in business, some think they can negotiate with God. Make a deal with Him. Maybe get Him to overlook a few things, or better yet, include more in the deal. And I wonder, would you trust a God you could negotiate with? What if the next guy got a better deal? I thought God was supposed to be fair. Fortunately I just don't find this in the Bible. Although it is true that God will test us, His promises are yes and amen. You can depend on them. And unlike buying a car, His salvation is not negotiable. It is a simple yes or no answer. Accept Jesus, believe in your heart, and confess with your mouth He is lord, and you are saved. No additional works, memberships, classes, programs, seminars, or works are needed. No special finances or additional payments. It is that simple, and it is available to everyone. And some day, everyone on earth will be faced with a decision-to say yes to Jesus or deny Him. Two thieves, both guilty were faced with that same question. One denied and went to hell. The other confessed who Jesus was, and while they hung on crosses together, Jesus promised the thief he would be in paradise with Him tonight. Which he did. Down to His last dying act, Jesus still saved. And still does today.
His offer still stands today-accept Him and live, deny Him and die. A simple equation for heaven, so simple a thief nailed to a cross can get it. But it still takes a decision based on faith-just a little. And saying nothing is the same as saying no. Don't let your silence condemn you.
It would have been easy for us to buy the car without the wheels, or better yet to pay the extra $1000 for them. But a deal had been struck, and it needed to be adhered to. Today the deal offered you by Jesus is the same as yesterday, and the same as tomorrow. Only you aren't promised tomorrow, if you walk out on Him today, situations change in your life, and you may forget. Thankfully God never does, but reminds you that TODAY is the day of salvation. And is patient-but don't wait too long. If we had waited till the next day, the Mustang may have been gone. And all the negotiations would not have mattered-the car was gone. Game over. Don't face eternity without God. Trust Him today-accept Jesus!
And live your life knowing you made the best decision on the most incredible deal you will ever be offered-welcome to eternal life in Christ! Now, what will it take you to be saved today?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com