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Obey God's word while time is on your side
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Over the past several weeks we have been looking at why everyone will not be saved, even though God desires it to happen. As we have seen the Bible shows that man has a part in his salvation.
Yes, God does provide grace, but that grace is not forced, it is offered. It is an offer that should not be refused, for it is the only way man can be saved from eternal damnation.
Jesus said, “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt. 7:21 – 23).
Man from the beginning of time has been offered salvation from God, but man has turned his back on the offer time and time again. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had all they needed, but they were overcome by temptation.
Eve was tempted by Satan and overcome. “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
“And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat” (Gen. 3:4 – 6).
These three things: lust of the flesh; lust of the eye; and the pride of life, are Satan’s mainstays.
Later in the history of the Israelite nation when the people had seen the power of God in delivering them from the bondage of Egypt, they also were overcome. Even as Moses was on the mount being given the Ten Commandments, they turned their back on God and began to worship idols.
“And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him” (Ex.32:1).
The Law of Moses was given because of the sins of the people (Gal.3:19). Still, later in their history, God’s people turned from following God to following their own thoughts and ideas.
We now have the law of Christ – one far better than the Law of Moses (Heb. 7 – 10). The New Testament tells us of the life of Jesus, the birth of the church, the way to become a child of God, how to worship, work and serve God today and the promised reward of heaven. Yet some fail to heed God’s warnings, and reject the offer of pardon.
Yes, God does want everyone to be saved, but the decision to accept or reject this offer of pardon rests with us.
My prayer is that all would open God’s book read, study and obey while time is still on our side. Come to know God’s love; believe on Christ that He is the Son of God; repent of sin in your life; be willing to confess your belief in Jesus before men; be baptized for the remission of your sins; and then live faithfully for God the rest of your life.

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