CHOICES CONCERNING JESUS
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Everyone has choices to make concerning the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. (John 3:16-18)
CHOOSING TO BELIEVE OR LEAVE JESUS
Jesus offer people of his day a choice concerning the Lord. He spoke to a crowd of over 5000 people, after he had miraculously fed them with five barley loaves of bread and two fish. After he fed them, they gathered twelve baskets of left over barley bread. Then Jesus spoke to the crowd and said: “whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” On hearing this, many of his followers said this is a hard teaching. They turned away and left Jesus, although they had seen him perform many unparalleled miracles.
Jesus then asked his twelve disciples if they wanted to leave too. Speaking for the twelve who stayed, Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” But Jesus knew one of the twelve would desert him. (John 6).
CHOOSING TO DENY OR DIE
After Jesus sacrificed his body and blood, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven many of his disciples chose to suffer and die rather than deny Jesus Christ and the gospel of salvation. For instance, Stephen a deacon of the early Church chose to be martyred rather than deny the gospel of the Savior and Lord. Stephen was stoned to death for defending the gospel against people who opposed the truth of the gospel. When he was being stoned, he look into heaven and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Dying, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (Acts 7).
CHOOSING TO BE FAITHFUL OR NOT
Relatively few followers of Jesus today are put in positions where they must deny the Lord or die. But many of us may be put in situations, such as the following, where we must chose to affirm our faith in the Lord or deny or hide it:
- Being in a world that denies Jesus Christ is God’s only begotten Son–the only way to God (John 3:16; 14:6).
- Being criticized or ostracized by those who have life-styles that are opposed to being like Christ and what the Bible teaches.
- Being ridiculed by some who reject the Bible.
- Being criticized even by some friends and family members.
- Deciding to let the gospel light of Jesus shine in your life or hiding it from others.
Jesus says: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). “Be faithful even to death. Then I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
