God has given us the gift of “free will,” which means we can accept Him or reject Him – our choice. That’s how much He loves us. He will not force Himself on us. Those of us who are listening to the Lord’s voice benefit from His peace and grace — and the promise of eternal life. Our burden is for those who are not yet listening.

He who has ears to hear, let him hear. – Matthew 11:15 (LSB)

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. – John 6:37 (ESV)

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. – Revelation 3:20 (NKJV)

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CHRISTIAN MESSAGE By WARD PIMLEY

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 JESUS IS CALLING. He came to earth “to save the lost.” (Luke 10:10 CSB) So, who are the “lost?” All of us.

Here’s some proof from the Word of God:

• “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23 CSB) 
• “For my people are wandering like lost sheep; they are attacked because they have no shepherd.” (Zechariah 10:2b NLT)
• “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and  helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36 NIV)

THE BIBLE TELLS US that our Lord and Creator wants fellowship with us and wants us to choose Him. He will not force His love and mercy on us but will give us that choice. 

How it must sadden the Creator to see His children abandon Him and turn  away from Him. The Bible says, “All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.” (Psalm 14:3 NIV)

Yet, Jesus patiently, through the Holy Spirit, works to gain our attention. He promises us that if we seek after Him, we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13; Matthew 7:7). However, since our natures are sinful, we naturally will not seek the Lord. Instead, we enjoy our sins (John 3:19). 

We want to live our lives our way, regardless of what our Creator wants.

Salvation, which requires a heart change on our part, is a free gift of God (Ephesians 2:8) offered to all and given freely and lovingly to all who accept, even a condemned criminal dying on the cross. (Luke 23:43)

HEAR HIS VOICE

WE SHOULD NOT WAIT beyond our time, because the Lord will harden our disobedient hearts (Romans 1:24). When the Holy Spirit prompts us, we should respond (Isaiah 55:6; 2 Corinthians 6:2). 

While He is patient (2 Peter 3:9; Psalm 103:10; Romans 2:4), He will not wait forever, and those who reject him throughout their lives will face judgment (Matthew 7:23; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:15).

That is not God’s desire (John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4; Ezekiel 18:32), but it is the only alternative acceptable to a Holy God.

We are offered a choice: believe in God and live or reject God and suffer the consequences. God tells us today what He told His children thousands of years ago when they were about to enter the Promised Land:

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live.” Deuteronomy 30:19 (ESV)

We end this meditation where we started. Jesus is calling us. He wants us to live. He will not force our choice, but He has made it clear with His perfect life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension into Heaven that He wants us to choose Him and live.

GOD ASKS THIS OF YOU: Which choice will you make?

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PRAYER

ABBA FATHER, You are holy and perfect, yet You love us with a never ending love, so much so that You sent Your Son, Your only Son whom You love, to suffer and die in our place. Lord, forgive us when we fail to believe and strengthen us in faith, that we will know and affirm that You, and You only, are God. Lord, we praise Your name and cast all our cares at Your feet. In Jesus’ name. AMEN