MAKE YOUR CHOICE

Which Cup Hides the Ball?

The cups and balls routine in the hands of a skilled magician is a wonder to behold. No matter which cup is picked by the spectator to contain the ball, the magician always shows the choice to be wrong. It's always under a different cup. The cup positions are rearranged, another choice made, another cup shown to be the correct one. The spectator never wins this one as the amused bystanders look on and applaud the magician's skill.

Life is full of making choices. And those choices do not always turn out for the best. Time passes and we find out that we were wrong. We can see the results of wrong choices everywhere--in the prisons, the hospitals, the breadlines, and in gangs. And what could be worse than making a choice that will harm us for eternity?

The Bible tells us that our choices will be judged, and that they will determine heaven or hell for us. How do you know whether you have made the right choices to merit heaven? 

The Bible already gives us the answer: "There is none righteous, no not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God...there is none who does good, no, not one" (Romans 3:10-12). The Bible tells us that none of us have made the right choices to enter heaven. 

Whatever cup we have chosen, we have been wrong all along. We may have chosen to do good deeds, chosen to be a good citizen, or even chosen to simply say we are not as bad as others are. And each time the cups come up empty, because we are sinners. It is sin which keeps us out of heaven, so it is our sin we must pay attention to. 

The Bible tells us that we have a sin nature, and that this nature prevents us from making choices that please God. For instance, the first commandment of God is, "You shall not have any other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3). If you were to write a list of what you like, where would you put God? If He were far down the list or not on it at all, then you have broken His commandment and chosen not put Him first. As it is when you break the laws of your country, so it is with God: you must pay the penalty for breaking His law, which is sin. And the penalty for sin is death.

But there is a choice you can make to escape your penalty. God has given you a way out: "God demonstrate His love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). God is love. And in His love for you, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die in your place for your sins. He took the blame for them so that you could stand before God righteous and not guilty. God's judgment was satisfied when His Son suffered and died on the cross. Three days later Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Forty days later He rose up to heaven and is now at the right hand of God. He is ready to forgive all who call upon Him to be saved from their sin's punishment.

It is your sin problem which keeps you out of heaven. That sin problem has two sides, and God dealt with them both with the death and resurrection of His Son. His death paid the penalty for your sinful deeds. The resurrection of Jesus allows Him to give you victory over your sinful nature. If you surrender to Jesus and ask Him for the gift of forgiveness and life, He will also give you the power of the Holy Spirit to dwell in you. 

With the power of the Holy Spirit and the guidance of the Word of God, the Holy Bible, you would be able to make choices for the Lord Jesus and please Him. "For God did not send His Son into he world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" (John 3:17). There is a reward in heaven for those who choose to serve Him His way. Do take the time now to get right with God. Take the following steps to find a place in heaven where Jesus will receive you:

	Admit to the Lord Jesus that you have sinned against Him, and ask for His forgiveness.

	Begin to read the Bible morning and night, and go to a Bible-reading church.

	Pray every day about everything, telling the Lord about your life and asking Him for wisdom on making right choices.