Have you ever stopped to think how few your choices really are in the di., rection of your life? Regardless of where you are spiritually, there are only two directions you can go re­specting each one! Jesus essentially taught this in Matthew 7:13-14. Con­sider one's state in life.

INFANCY. Through the procreative process of God an infant is born into the world. There are but two direc­tions his life can take, and the choice will be eventually his. He will grow to maturity, and eventually become accountable to God. Coming to ac­countability, he will in turn become responsible to God (Rom. 6:16; 7:19). Or - he will die in infancy and go to heaven. He does not "inherit sin," for God considers such to be , for infants "this day have no knowledge of good or evil" (Deut. 1:39). So here is one faced with one of two di­rections. He will either grow to ma­turity and become responsible to God, or he will die and go to heaven.

UNBELIEVING SINNER. Here is one who has grown to maturity. He is faced with only one of two choices also. He will become a follower of the "Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). Upon a life of service to God, he will die, go to heaven and receive a crown of life (2 Tim. 4:6-8). Or - he will die in sin and go to hell. He will reap the wages of his sin (Gal. 6:7). God will not save those who grow to maturity and yet flagrantly ignore or reject him and his plan of salvation. Like the infant, this man has an extremely narrow list of choices! And the choice is his - but he must bear the consequences of that choice.

THE FAITHFUL IN CHRIST. Like the previous two classes, this man also is limited in the directions that he may go. He has not lost his free agency just because he became a Christian, for he still has the capability of choice. His first choice is that of turning his back upon God, in which case he will be lost. Contrary to what Calvinism says, one may forfeit his soul, even after obedience to Christ (2 Pet. 2:20­-22). He may well do this, or he may remain faithful and go to heaven. This is obviously the best course to pursue, but the individual himself will make his choice.

THE UNFAITHFUL CHRISTIAN. Here is a man that also has but two ways to go. He has fallen back into the ways of the world; turned his back upon God. Now, he may remain in that condition and lose his soul. Or - he will realize the error of his way, see the hopelessness of his present course, and return to God to his eternal better­ment. The thin thread of life is all that stands between him and heaven or hell.

Now - where are you? You will find yourself in one of the above states of life. And whatever state that may be, your choices respecting it are ex­tremely limited. The direction that you take in your life will determine whether you will be saved in heaven, or lost in hell. God wants all to be saved (2 Pet. 3:9), and has given you the ability of choice. - Bill Moseley

 

 

 

It has been some time since I have written on one of my favorite pastimes - "people watch­ing." One of the best places for this is in air­ports.

Waiting in one once, there was a maintenance man with "Glenn" sewn on his shirt. Glenn never moved very fast; not much trash to pick up that day. Instead of emptying the trash can near me, he lifted the lid, peered in and ex­tracted a Body Building magazine with some guy on it with nothing but muscles showing. Glenn put it in what apparently was his pri­vate stash of free reading material and strolled off to inspect the next trash can.

Next was a fellow with a frantic look on his face, nearly running toward his gate where he was evidently about to miss his plane. Wasn't making much headway, because his rapid, choppy steps only covered about 18" per stride. Later I saw him walking back - slower, only taking about 12" steps. I guess he either missed his plane or decided not to go.

Then there was a young mother with a baby in a backpack, another one not much bigger in a stroller, and with her free hand was carrying a huge car seat. What a job! Sure hope there was someone to meet her when she arrived.

Then there was a fellow in a contorted posi­tion, sitting in one seat with his feet twisted around in another, getting his sleep.

And "time would fail me" to tell of all the others. I wondered: "How many of these folks ever think about God?" I'm afraid not many, being so preoccupied with other things. That's a shame, because most were probably nice folks. I also thought: "If God had made us all alike, life sure would be dull!" – Bill Moseley