The Choice is Yours, But …

By Ronald Bartanen

    There are some circumstances of life in which we are without a choice. Sickness and death are, in most instances, not of our choosing. If we are victims of assault, theft or a drunk driver, it is because others have made grievous choices in life, not ourselves. However, there are other roads of life which will be determined by our own choosing.
    Jesus spoke of two roads of life (Matthew 7:13-14). One is a difficult, restrictive way, but not very popular. This road leads to life eternal. The other is a broad superhighway, with easy access which is much more popular, but it leads only to destruction and death. Each way involves both time and eternity.  THE CHOICE IS YOURS, BUT…
    The Bible speaks of only two classes of responsible people in the world—the saved and the unsaved. The saved are those redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ”, having been obedient to the truth of the gospel (1 Peter 1:20, 22). The unsaved have not. THE CHOICE IS YOURS, BUT…
    There are two entities at work in the world, each seeking to gain the heart’s allegiance of every man, woman and child. The first is the Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth. In Him is no darkness, but eternal light. The other is the “Prince of Darkness,” a rebellious angel of great power who was cast out from the presence of Jehovah God because of his prideful rebellion. Each person must choose which to serve. THE CHOICE IS YOURS, BUT…
    One’s life may be spent in the pursuit of personal pleasure and gain, or one may put God’s kingdom and His righteousness above all other considerations. One may spend his days with no thought of serving and worshiping God, or one may be a worshiper of God, committing his life to God’s glory. THE CHOICE IS YOURS, BUT…
    There are only two destinies for man. For those who put their trust in the Redeemer of men, and submit by faith to Him, there is the promise of a place in the everlasting kingdom of God. Those who have rejected the kindness and grace of God must experience His consuming wrath, in company with the devil and his angels. THE CHOICE IS YOURS, BUT…
    BUT WHAT? BUT we will reap as we have sown (Galatians 6:7-9). You may choose the “easy way”, a way that is without God and without a Savior, and die in your sins, but the end is eternal condemnation. We plead with all to choose the way that leads to life everlasting. THE CHOICE IS YOURS, BUT…YOUR CHOICE WILL HAVE ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES.

- Ronald Bartanen preaches for Arthur Church of Christ, Arthur, IL.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://arthurcoc.com/