I Choose Christ
By Dennis Huebshman
Joshua 24:15, “And if it seems evil unto you to serve the Lord, Choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood; or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (emphasis mine)
Choices. There will always be choices to make every day while we are on this earth. Needless to say, some are more critical in importance than others. Some simple choice examples are: what time to get up and start the day; eat breakfast or not; what clothes to wear for the day; whether to go to work or school, or stay at home; and so on and so forth right up to the time to go back to bed. Most of these choices we make without any real effort being put into deciding one way or another. Depending on habits we have formed over time, some of our choices are automatic, and are made subconsciously.
There are other choices we make that change our paths significantly. Back in 1965, the military draft system was still in full force, and I faced a very significant decision. Having passed the “draft physical”, I was faced with just waiting, and taking whatever branch of the military that would call me to serve; or making a choice on my own. It wasn’t a question of “if”, but “when” I would be called. Waiting at that time meant being selected either by the Army or the Marines. After meeting with a Navy recruiter, the possibilities there appeared to be significantly better, and though I served more time on active duty, I received training that I have been able to apply to my civilian life from then on. For me, that was a very positive choice.
Other choices I made in my earlier life were not so beneficial. Without going into details, my earlier life was full of choices that If I had passed from this life, I would now be waiting in the line for the Great White Throne Judgment described in Revelation 20:11-15. It’s not that I didn’t know better, as I had been raised in a Christian “Church going” home. Problem was, I just put in the time, but never developed a relationship with Jesus. The same could be said about many church-goers today. A lot of people go through the motions of being seen at an organized evangelical or other service, and they believe that’s all they will need.
To top this off, there are more and more services being run by false prophets as described in the Bible, who are only interested in filling seats and collection baskets. (especially 1 John 2-5) Their services rarely use any significant Bible passages. Rather, they are “entertainment based” productions that are designed to “tickle” the ears of the attendees, and make people feel they have “honored” the lord just with their presence. Sad part is, after the Rapture takes place, these churches won’t see any change in attendance. The true word is being suppressed in order to not “offend” anyone.
The Bible tells about false prophets and antichrists increasing in numbers and intensity in the days just prior to the 7-year Tribulation/Wrath. We’re seeing a lot of this now. Alternate lifestyles that God has labeled abominations, are now being presented as “biblically” okay. Sounds good to a lost soul, but it still isn’t truth. God doesn’t change His mind on this. People that are in these lifestyles can be forgiven if they will repent and turn away from the sin before taking their last breath here. Isaiah 5:20 is in force more than ever before – evil being called good, and good being called evil. Just wait until those responsible try to explain to the Father the He was wrong all along. As stated earlier, Revelation 20:11-15 will be their destiny.
Our Salvation relies on accepting Jesus as the only true way to Heaven. (John 14:6; Act 4:12) We all must believe He came to earth and gave His life willingly (John 10:18), as the only pure sacrifice the Heavenly Father could accept. Also, we have to call out to Jesus to be forgiven, and ask Him to be our eternal Savior. All who truly call on Him will be saved. (Acts 2:21; Romans 10:9-13; Romans 8:1) This does not have to be done in public, but you can call out to Him anytime and anywhere.
Unlike satan’s forces who are trying to tell everyone there’s many ways to Heaven without Jesus, God did not allow any substitutions. John 10:30 is very specific; “The Father and I are One.” If all sacrifices prior to Calvary were temporary measures to show the Father that a person was willing to do His will; then, when the absolute perfect sacrifice was made for us, God would never allow “another way”.
Consider Hebrews 10:1-4;10, “For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. (are in the will of God) (2) Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since worshipers, having once been cleansed would no longer have any consciousness of sin? (3) But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. (4) For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. (10) And by that will, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
The hardest part for people is to accept this as absolute truth. Many feel they have to perform certain works, or continue to make sacrifices in order to feel worthy. Truth is, for anyone to try this is to say that Jesus, one third of the Holy Trinity, didn’t do enough for us. It’s saying we have to make up for whatever it was that He failed to do.
People who worship other gods never have the satisfaction of “knowing” they’re saved. We have heard how God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to earth so we could be saved through Him. (John 3:16-17 & Romans 5:8) However, John 3:18 and 1 John 5:12 both state that whoever has Jesus as their Savior will have eternal life; those who reject Him will be condemned forever.
Therefore, a variation of Joshua 24:15 could be: “Choose this day who and/or what you will serve. Whether it be the so-called treasures of this evil world; believing that the abominations are no longer sinful; believing satan’s famous ploy – “did God really say?”; believing Jesus does not exist or that there’s many ways to Heaven without Him, and believing it’s up to us to worship Him or not; believing the Bible is just a bunch of stories that are mythical and not real; then choose these for yourselves. As for me and my loved ones, we choose Jesus the Christ as our Savior, our Redeemer, our Lord and our God, and our absolute best Friend. Nothing or no one compares to, or adds up to, the Love our Heavenly Father has for us, and we believe His will is true and just.”
Consider 1 Corinthians 15:47-49, “The first man (Adam) was from the earth, a man of dust’ the second Man (Jesus) is from Heaven. (48) As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust (unbelievers); and as is the Man of Heaven, so also are those who are of Heaven (all believers). (49) Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust; we shall also bear the image of the Man of Heaven.”
The time is coming soon that all who have chosen to call on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13) We will be called up to meet Jesus in the air, and be with Him forever. WE will not face the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 a only two examples) We will be given “forever and imperishable” bodies that will never feel pain or death again.
On the other side, to choose not to call on and accept Jesus as your Savior, will lead to a “forever and imperishable” body that will suffer in the Lake of Fire forever.
It’s an individual choice. As I said before, I Choose Jesus the Christ as my One and Only Savior. Call on Him today as tomorrow could just be too late. The Rapture will occur, and will take less than one second. (1 Corinthians 15:51-53 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17) To hesitate could be the worst choice you could ever make.
In the Loving Grip of Our Heavenly Father – Amen!