Let Us Choose Life

Adam was a great man but he plunged the world into rebellion against
God through sin. Sin brought death, not only the death that we call
"sleep," but
the real thing--the total eternal
end of life, what the Bible describes as "the second death."

The Good News of the gospel declares that a "last Adam" or
second Adam has entered our dark, doomed world, and has taken over the
headship of the
human race (1 Cor. 15:45). As we are all by nature "in Adam" with a
verdict of condemnation
hanging over our heads, so now "in Christ" we have a verdict of
acquittal pronounced over us.
Instead of a sentence of death, we have a sentence of life!

But all through the ages during these two millennia there have
been some dear souls who thought that this Good News means that
everybody will be
saved eternally at last; this is known as "Universalism." But the
Bible does not teach Universalism.
God would like for "all men" to be saved eternally (1 Tim. 2:3-6).

(a) He takes no pleasure "in the
death of the wicked" (Ezek. 18:23). In fact, their final ruin is
terribly painful for Him to have to endure (cf. Rev. 8:1). Even today
He is in agony when human beings, the creation of His love, endure it
(Isa. 63:9). He repented
in behalf of humans who repent because He became "the Lamb of God" and
was baptized in John
the Baptist's baptism of repentance (Matt. 3:11).

(b) When humans choose irrevocably to reject the message
of His much more abounding grace, they bring upon themselves the final
ruin of the
death that is the inevitable result
of sin.

(c) To His great pain of heart, those who choose at last to be
lost are in number "as the sand of the sea" (Rev. 20:8). The Bible
does not teach the popular doctrine that God Himself has
predestined them to be lost while He predestines other
fortunate ones to be saved; the Bible is clear as sunlight--He
predestines ALL to be saved; and Christ gave His blood for "ALL."
He will save all who do not frustrate or reject Him.

(d) But those in number "as the sand of the sea" have at last chosen
to "frustrate the grace of
God" (cf. Gal. 2:21), down to the last bitter end. Along with life
and liberty and salvation the dear
Lord has given us all the freedom of choice; all the angels in heaven
cannot interfere with that or
force us either way.

Oh, let us today choose life!

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