I’ve attended Church ever since I can remember. Sometimes it was with my parents or grandmother and other times my brothers and I went by ourselves. There were times when I was made to go but later when I began to have choices, I decided I wanted to. I remember I liked Sunday school where I learned about JESUS. When I was still a child, I accepted JESUS as my personal Savior and was Baptized not long after that. I was given the choice and I thank GOD I made the right decision.
As I got older, I continued going to Church and learned how “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). That means everyone has a choice to believe in JESUS and have everlasting life. They can also choose not to believe and have everlasting death. It’s hard to understand why anyone would reject GOD’s love and choose death.
The Bible is filled with examples of people like Peter and Judas who each made very different choices. Peter denied he knew JESUS three times after insisting he wouldn’t (Mat 26:69-74 KJV) and then “remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly” (Mat 26:75 KJV). Judas betrayed JESUS for money and He asked him, “Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?” (Like 22:48 KJV). What’s the difference since they both failed JESUS?
The difference are the choices they made after their failures! “When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood… So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself” (Mat 27:3-5). Judas died in his sin. After JESUS rose from the dead he asked, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs” (John 21:15 KJV) and he obeyed JESUS even though it cost him everything. Peter had sinned but then he chose to repent, JESUS forgave Peter and used him to share the Good News!
But that was Peter who walked with JESUS, was taught by the greatest teacher, and saw His miracles. How could he not repent and follow JESUS? Judas also walked with JESUS but didn’t repent and chose death. There were others who made choices without walking with or being taught by Him, like the thieves on the crosses. One mocked JESUS and the other defended Him. One doubted and the other said “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Mat 27:42 KJV). Both thieves were dying and in pain, but one died in his sin and the other died and is in Heaven with JESUS!
Which choice will you make, death or life? Choose wisely!
Wayne Lance (2022) – That’s Good News to Share!