• Watch
  • Listen
  • Study
  • Articles
  • Links
  • About
Sunny Slope Church of Christ
  • Watch
  • Listen
  • Study
  • Articles
  • Links
  • About

Salvation Is A Choice

5/19/2013

 
     We live in a culture of “perceived victimization.”  When something negative occurs in one’s life, the common reaction these days is to claim to be a victim.  “Look at what somebody did to me!”  “This all happened due to circumstances beyond my control.”  “It’s not my fault, life made me this way.”
     A denial of personal responsibility goes along naturally with this perception of always being a victim.  Even when somebody exhibits heinous behavior, we try to excuse his responsibility by pointing to some mitigating circumstance that ultimately drove him to it.  If it’s not his fault, then he’s not really responsible for his actions.  If he’s not responsible, then he must be excused for having done whatever he did, for being the way that he is.  Without realizing it, we end up sanctioning his continued heinous behavior.
     Our society desperately needs to reclaim its moral compass and require its citizens to take responsibility for their actions.  As long as people are allowed to believe that their bad choices will hold no consequences for themselves, they will continue to make bad choices.  A society that does not hold its people responsible for their actions will eventually self-destruct.
     We all make up their own minds every day as to whether we will spend eternity enjoying the blessings of Heaven, or experiencing the condemnation of Hell.  God is a righteous judge.  He only holds us accountable for what we do, or don’t do, personally in life (2 Cor. 5:10).  He does not show partiality (Rom. 2:11).  He does not hold us responsible for other people’s sins (Ezk. 18:20).  His love for us, and His desire for our salvation, are vividly seen in sending His Son to die on the cross to pay the price for the guilt of our sins (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8).  He exhibits patience, giving us ample opportunity to choose to repent of our sins and turn to Him for salvation (Rom. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9).
     If we choose salvation, God will reward us therewith.  If we choose to continue in sin, He will hold us responsible for that choice (2 Pet. 3:10).  But the choice is our own.  If we face the final judgment unprepared, there will be no claiming that we were victimized.  We won’t be able to cry that it was not our fault.
   The gospel message is given to all (Rom. 1:16).  Each of us chooses, by the way we live our lives each day, as to how we will respond to the gospel call.  Make no mistake, salvation is a choice!  Your ultimate salvation, or condemnation, will be your choice!  What choice are you making?…


Comments are closed.

    Author

    Gary L. Hutchens

    Categories

    All
    Dennis Stackhouse
    Gary Hutchens

    Archive

    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    March 2008
    February 2008
    January 2008
    January 2007

Member Login
SUBMIT PRAYER REQUEST
© 2019 Sunny Slope Church of Christ | All Rights Reserved
3606 N. 108th St., Omaha, NE 68164 | (402) 498-8397 | Contact Us
  • Watch
  • Listen
  • Study
  • Articles
  • Links
  • About