We Choose

Read Romans 1:18-20 and 28-32

Context: Apparently the church in Rome had never been taught by an apostle, so the things they had learned were diluted and in some cases flat-out wrong. Among other things, Paul wrote to present the basic steps of salvation.

Text:
18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

28Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Have you ever known people who really enjoyed fighting against authority? All you have to do is give them a rule, and they will go out of their way to break it (hmmm, my kids are like that somedays). They clearly know they are doing wrong, and they flaunt it. Often they pressure others into joining them. It can't be too bad if everyone is doing it, right? After a while it doesn't seem wrong anymore -- it's just who they are.

Some of these folks make our headlines every day and unfortunately become role models for our lives. It seems like they are getting away with it, even prospering from it. So where is God?

He's right where he's always been, and he is angry and saddened by the choices people make. God lets us make our choice, but he stands firm as the ultimate fair judge...sin will be punished unless we have humbled ourselves in his presence.

I've met people who believe in heaven, but can't believe that a loving God would create a place like hell. They firmly believe that all people go to heaven when they die. The Bible states otherwise. Hell isn't necessarily a place God created...it is the place where God's presence cannot be found.

Some choose life and some choose death. On Judgement Day, God honors our choice with the natural consequences. He doesn't send us to Hell, we've already bought the non-refundable ticket and he waves us through that wide gate.

Let's help others understand that they have the power to choose what eternity they will live, and help them choose life!