Things We Cannot Escape
--- Jerry W. Joseph
Our lives are filled with decisions to be made
each day. Sometimes, when the demands on our lives become so great, perhaps we
wished we could just get away from some things, that is
to escape. Certainly, there are things that we can escape from in this life.
But, we also must understand that there are things we cannot escape.
It is those things that we want to notice. We cannot ESCAPE . . .
E-xerting An Influence. “For none of
us liveth to himself, and no
man dieth to himself” (Romans 14:7). Everyone
has an influence. It is either good or bad. Our influence can change but we
cannot escape from exerting one.
S-elf
Accountability. We do live in a time in which instead of accepting
responsibility for one’s own actions we want to put the blame somewhere else.
We are personally accountable before God for our words and way of life. Yes, we
can be influenced by others to do wrong, but I will be held accountable for my
own actions. “So then every one of us shall give account
of himself to God” (Romans
C-onsequences of Sin.
When we sin, we will pay for it. “Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for
whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For
he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap
corruption, but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of
the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Galatians 6:7-8). “For the wages
of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our
Lord” (Romans
A-ppointment with death. The Hebrew writer wrote “And as it is
appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews
P-ersonal decision concerning Christ. Every
accountable person must make a decision about Christ.
Tragically some believe that they can choose not to follow Christ and at the
same time not be against him. If we choose not to become a Christian, a
follower of Christ, we have said NO to the one who is the Savior of mankind and
the Son of God. Our Lord said in Matthew 12:30, “He that is not with me
is against me . . . ”
E-ternal verdict of God. At the last
day, on the day of judgment, one of two verdicts will
be declared upon each and everyone. “And these shall go away into
everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (Matthew
25:46). Each one will receive “everlasting punishment” or “life eternal.” Which
will it be for us? After the verdict has been given, there can be no changing
of it or escaping from it. The time to prepare our lives so that we will have
“life eternal” in the hereafter is now while we live. To make the proper
preparation demands that we have faith, repent of our sins, confess Christ, be
baptized and then faithfully serve and obey the Lord as long as we live
(Hebrews 11:6; Luke 13:3; Matthew 10:32-33; Mark 16:16; Revelation 2:10;
Matthew 7:21-23).