Choosing what we believe

This week’s “@ the Rock Shop” on ActofGraceRadio.net addresses the subject of choices. And was spawned by thoughts regarding whether we really do have a choice in what we believe.

A circumstance occurred in my extended family this week wherein one person (that I did not know) died and at this writing another is in the last stages of cancer contributing to the shuffling off of their mortal coil. Naturally as a Christian I am concerned whether or not these people have, or had, ever put their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior; I do not know the answer, but God does. Having been born and raised in the United States I have no doubt that on no less than one occasion they were given the opportunity of responding to the saving grace available by faith in Jesus Christ. (Talking about that is something we do a lot around here.)

Apart from the eternal, I know these two situations have raised a lot of questions in the minds of the loved ones who are being left behind. I have every assurance that God’s will is being done. But some in the throes of the circumstances are wondering what that really means. Who can blame them?

One of the most devastating situations, from my perspective, was the manner in which our not-so-believing family members were confronted by the much-professing believers, particularly in the area of being baptized before you die or you won’t get into heaven. All I’m feeling compelled to ask in this writing is, where do they get that notion that you have to be baptized before God would allow you into heaven? I don’t find any teachings of this from Jesus in the Bible, and I don’t think that the action of being baptized changes the heart. If a person doesn’t believe in God, has never felt a need to submit to the authority of God in their lives…well, they’ve essentially decided they don’t want to be around the folks that will comprise heaven anyway. I’m pretty sure that everybody who is, or will be, in heaven will be there by choice.

There do seem to be maybe two stipulations that assure a person has properly made their reservations for heaven: they have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as the only acceptable sacrifice, which happens to have been provided by God in the first place; and in a verbal profession of faith. This is Romans 10: 9 and 10, by the way. Now, there’s evidence that this is an honest, sincere, heart-felt belief because there are many New Testament instances that after such a faith-profession the new believer is baptized. They do stop doing many of the “bad” things they had done in the past – repenting – and in many cases seek to make restitution to those they have wronged. The new believer, upon their profession of faith, also finds that they have an increasing desire to know and learn more about God and, in addition, begin looking for ways to be a help to others. This is how true faith is exemplified. It honestly has nothing to do with anything we have, can, or will do. Baptism is a key element, but people die believing in God and never get baptized. Communion is a wonderful experience for a believer to participate in, as well, but merely taking communion isn’t particularly significant. How much we pray or don't pray isn't a measuring stick. God says to the prophet Malachi in chapter 3 of the Old Testament book that bears his name, “I am the LORD, and I do not change.” Later in the same chapter God spells out to every reader what He’s about. These are the words of God quoted from Malachi beginning at verse 13, “You have said terrible things about me,” says the LORD.
“But you say, ‘What do you mean? How have we spoken against you?’
“You have said, ‘What’s the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the LORD Almighty that we are sorry for our sins? From now on we will say, “Blessed are the arrogant.” For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them go free of harm.”
Then those who feared the LORD spoke with each other, and the LORD listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and loved to think about him. “They will be my people,” says the LORD Almighty. “On the day when I act, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient and dutiful child. Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”

There are only a few verses left before God brings the Old Testament to conclusion. The next words that are written in the Bible begin the New Testament as regards the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. (Just for grins and giggles check out Revelation 20:11-15.) Any of us really have only one important decision to make. Will we believe in and serve God because we have been adopted as His child and have the privilege to spend eternity with Him or reject the offer?

You see nobody get’s taken into heaven kicking and screaming against their will. And nobody is being forced to believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior, or be baptized in His name, or have communion with Him in the fellowship of other believers, or recite any number of prayer litany's. None of that will be required of anybody who chooses not to want to. Heaven is only for the believers in God. (Remember the two thieves crucifed with Jesus?) Nobody else would even want to go there, because heaven ain’t going to be about them. It's not about your rewards, or your mansion, or even how many virgins you’ll be getting…heaven is, always has been, and always will be about God. And only those who want to be there, with Him, will be.

So, if you still think you want to go to heaven, it might behoove you to find out what is required. Then make the choice, because you may not even want to go to heaven at all. And God has made other arrangements for that decision.

Ever yours regardlessly,

mike