[418 words]
l don’t know about you, but l have a hard time being told what to do. l feel as though, being an adult and overall responsible and trustworthy, l should not have to be forced to comply to any command or request of anyone walking the face of this earth. If and when l comply or fulfill any request, it is because l have chosen to do so of my own free will. I believe that can be said of most people. We are not forced to love who we love. We make that choice. We are not forced to do our jobs. We make that choice. We are not forced to make a sacrifice. We willingly make that choice.
However. there will be a day where we will no longer have an option. God has ordained that a day will come when the world will be judged. Jesus said that we all will give an account for every idle word we may say (Matthew l2:36), and that God will render His final judgment to all mankind. Paul says in Philippians 2:9-11, “Therefore (because Jesus humbled Himself and died for us), God also has highly exalted Him and given Him a name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ll and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”
Although while we still live, breathe, and walk the earth we have the option to make the choice to obey the Gospel; there will be a day when that option no longer exists. In fact, on that day the statement will be true. “l’ll give you your options. Ya got no options!” So, why wait until the time to obey has lapsed? Why wait until you no longer have the option? Paul says in 2 Corinthians 6:1-2, “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says, ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Brethren, today is the only day that we can freely and willingly submit ourselves to His rule and authority in obedience to the Gospel. Tomorrow, we may not have that option.
Jeremy Tucker
Dexter church of Christ
Dexter, MO