Wednesday, January 15, 2014

the choice of a lifetime











I sat with a man yesterday who after giving his life to Jesus, turned his back on Him for 43 years.  Now in the hospital, very sick, he was repenting and turning back to Him.  Jesus never left him, but he had turned his back on God.  A choice he made many years ago returning, after another bad one had led him away from God.  A prodigal in the strongest sense, as we were all lost, but only God gives us the choice of salvation.  But as I listened to this man, he had a problem forgiving himself, even thought the God of the universe had.  His name was written in the Book of Life, he just never cashed in on the benefits of it during those years.  Instead the choices he made led to destruction, not immediately, but over the years it all added up.  And now he as repenting, turning back to Jesus...and one good choice would restore him, just as one bad choice had almost destroyed him.
We all make bad choices from time to time.  Ever had a bad blind date?  Ate a piece of bad fruit?  Bought a Honda?  Cheered for the Chargers?  Bad choices maybe, but not life threatening.  It is been said we make over 8000 choices everyday, reading this is one.  Considering that is another.  Reading on is another.  See how easy they add up.  Oops, another,  And so it goes.  But in every life, everyone will at some time be faced with who Jesus is, and that choice will have eternal consequences.
The word prodigal means useless, and in the parable of the prodigal son, we all can relate to the son who took his inheritance, blew it on good times, then had to repent.  Noting that while still far away, his father saw him, and ran to him.  Something fathers didn’t do back then, especially to sons who had abandoned them, especially running in a long robe.  But yet we see God running to us, excited to see us return to Him.  Which is why He sent Jesus to be the way.  And we can only imagine how the father felt everyday not knowing where his son was, wishing and hoping he would return home.  While the other son, stayed home.  Worked the ranch, and seemingly honored his father by not leaving like his brother did.  But we see his true heart, at the end when he is hateful to the repenting brother.  It seems he is the useless one, and was all the time, just waiting for his father to die to inherit.  Failing to realize like his father later told him, that his inheritance was there the whole time, all he need to do was ask.  It was available all the time, his choice to hate made him bitter, and he never enjoyed the love of his father like his repentant brother did.  Both brothers made choices, bad choices, only one realized he had, and turned back to his father.  A parable showing us the love that God has for us, no matter the situation, and as long as we are His sons and daughters, the inheritance is there for the enjoying right now.  Both made the choice of a lifestyle, but one later choice was the choice of a lifetime.  We have all fallen short of the glory of God, and need to repent.  Some are sorry, but never repent, never turn to God, and stumble their entire life, becoming bitter like the stay at home brother.  Some others are truly sorry, truly repent, and go on with God.  Yet some think God can never forgive, and live a miserable life, ending in a miserable death, ending in an eternity in hell they didn’t have to have.  Their choice, not God’s.  He wants all to repent, that is why He is patient.  Why we see salvation in jails, hospitals, war zones, and even in churches.  Where we see robbers, thieves, hookers, bikers, junkies, and dealers saved by Jesus Christ.  Same with nerds, brainiacs, soccer moms, and those that don’t ride.  God is patient for all to come to repentance....so what is your choice?  Saying nothing is saying no!  None are exempt from the gates of hell except those that are saved in Christ.  And it isn’t the gates that keep you out-it is Jesus!
43 years is a lifetime.  This man was ready to retire, for his entire working life he did it on his own.  Only in his retirement years did he stop to consider God again, and the promises.  We don’t know how long it took for the son to return home, many years are implied, yet his father waited patiently.  While his brother became more selfish and bitter everyday.  Sin at both ends.  So your choice is....Consider Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty.  He was the starting quarterback ahead of Terry Bradshaw who led the Steelers to 4 Super Bowl victories.  But his decision to stay and hunt and fish, eventually made him a millionaire, and a spokesman for God.  His choice not only impacted him and his family, but Terry’s life also.  We don’t know how many will be effected by our choices, so choose God and make the right choice.  Two brothers, two choices, one father.  Two quarterbacks, two choices, one heavenly father.  One brother accepted forgiveness, the other resented it.  For God so loved the world He gave His only son...what are you willing to give in order to gain eternity?  Are you willing to ask God now to forgive you?  Prodigal?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com