June 10, 2025

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” mat 16:26 nkjv    What do these two preceding verses have in common? I think for our purpose, in this discussion, we could say the action of choice [cause and effect]… because in both examples we can see the consequence of making a life changing decision. It has always been that way:

Moses, near the end of his leading the children of Israel, for forty years in the Exodus, gives this caution to them shortly before his departure:

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;” deut 30:19 nkjv

Yeshua, in His closing of His teaching of the “Sermon on the Mount,” ends it with this:

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” mat 7:24-27 nkjv

Again, we see Yeshua wrapping up His message with a warning that one’s choice would surely end in either a good choice and safety, or a bad choice and destruction.

With no intention to judge anyone for their lifestyle or their choices in their lives today, I must ask, what authority [and judgment] do you consider the Bible to have regarding your choices, as they enjoin the above Biblical references, upon you meeting your maker upon your passage from this life into the next…? Do you believe you [all of us] actually have an appointment to stand before the Righteous Judge of all the earth [universe]? Do you believe the Bible is true saying that we all must give an account of our lives before the judgment seat of Christ [Yeshua]? Paul told the Corinthians:

“Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 cor 5:9-10 nkjv  I think this verse is relevant to the context of our discussion above… but, If we have failed in being GOD fearing and obedient to the Bible’s teachings, and find ourselves not ready to meet our “maker,” and to have our “life review” laid out before us… then consider the continuing message from Paul:

“For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 cor 5:14-21 nkjv

Just so you know, in case you have gotten behind on checking up on your “job file in this life,” if you are reading this, its not too late to clean up your act… “Now” is all there is.

“We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says:
“In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 cor 6:1-2 nkjv

“Now,” really does matter; and who is foolish enough to put one’s eternal destiny in tomorrows careless hands? I ask you, is the Holy Spirit tugging on your heart to get your attention… if so, find a quite place and let Yahweh know your true heartfelt needs, ask His forgiveness [as needed] and give Him thanks for always being there for you…

“Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.” isa 55:6-7 nkjv

Shalom, John