Choices
Perhaps you have heard the story of the young man who was driving his car when it leapt over a wall and plunged into the water. A driver in a car behind him saw what happened, stopped, jumped in and pulled the young man to safety.
Sometime later, this same young man was caught in the act of stealing. It was not the first time he had been caught. He was brought before the judge who would try the case. The young man felt secure because the judge on the bench was the same one who rescued him. When the judge pronounced the guilty sentence and the stiff penalty, the young man was surprised. “Don’t you recognize me?” he asked. “You saved my life earlier this year. How can you find me guilty now?” The judge replied to the young man with these words, “When you had the wreck and I pulled you to safety, I was your savior. Because you have broken the law, I am now your judge.”
Isn’t it wonderful that we have a Savior like Jesus? He is the One who comes to the rescue when we need Him. We read that Jesus came to “seek and save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) When we sin, Jesus is willing to forgive (rescue) us if we are willing to follow His commands.
But by the same token Jesus is our judge. Romans 14:10 informs us, “...for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.” Not one of us will be excused from this judgment. The word ALL implies no one is left out. The greatest thing, however, is that it is our choice. When I stand before God, I will be judged for the choices I have made. If I choose to break law, He will be the judge that will give me my just sentence. If I choose to please God and obey His Word, He will be my Savior and I will be rewarded for this.
Therefore, we see that Jesus is our Savior and our Judge. And, He will reward us according to our choices. What kind of choices are you making? What will it be like as you stand before the Judge? Will you make excuses? Will you be with God and all the saints? Or will you be cast into the pit with Satan and his followers. The choice is all yours. No one can make it for you and no one can make you not follow our Lord and Savior. Let’s all choose to