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Choose Life
 The Gospel of God concerning His Son Jesus Christ is either a blessing or a curse, depending on our response to it. "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith.' For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness." Romans 1:17-18 (NKJV)
The gospel shows us both how righteous God is in His plan for us to be saved, and also how we may be made fit for eternal life. It is by trusting Christ that our relationship with God is made right. "From first to last" God declares us to be righteous because of faith and faith alone. Those who suppress and pervert the truth of the Gospel of God in unrighteousness will experience the wrath of God from heaven instead of the free gift by grace, which is by our Savior Jesus Christ.
Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life (Romans 5:18).We were all born into Adam's physical family - the family line that leads to certain death. All of us have reaped the results of Adam's sin. We have inherited his guilt, a sinful nature (the tendency to sin), and God's punishment. Because of Jesus, however, we can trade judgment for forgiveness. We can trade our sin for Jesus' righteousness.
Christ offers us the opportunity to be born into God's spiritual family - the family line that begins with forgiveness and leads to eternal life. If we do nothing, we have death through Adam; but if we come to God by faith, we have life through Christ. Which family line do you now belong to? This matter of personal relationship and our proper response to God's grace is clearly demonstrated by the two thieves who hung on either side of the Savior. One responded to God's abundance of grace and received the free gift of eternal life; the other rebelled his way into eternal condemnation.
Moses challenged Israel to choose life, to obey God, and therefore continue to experience His blessings. God doesn't force His will on anyone. God lets us decide whether to follow Him or reject Him. This personal decision, however, is a life-or-death matter. God wants us to realize this, for He would like us all to choose life. Daily, in each new situation, we must affirm and reinforce this commitment. I call heaven and earth as witnesses today ... "that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live." (Deuteronomy 30:19).
As I was thinking of the message to share this month with YOU, my readers, Connie Situ, a dear friend in Avondale, AZ posted this video on my Facebook ... how amazing! Take a listen to an artful way to present the gospel using rhyme.
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