Grabbing the Brass Ring

My professor made an interesting comment during his lecture last week, and I'm still not sure what I think about it. Unfortunately, I don't have the scripture references he made. I'm going to try to get those.

So here's the basic idea. We know that we cannot save anyone alone. Unless the Holy Spirit opens their eyes and touches their heart, they will not be open to God. I recognise this in my own life. I had Jesus shared with me over the years, yet remained closed. However, once He opened my mind to the possibility that this was true, I couldn't stop thinking about it. The choice was definitely in front of me.

However, Steve's point was that in that moment you still have a choice (seems right). That you can choose Jesus or not. But if you don't then God may close your heart again and you will have missed your chance. Maybe not your only chance, but at least this one.

In a way, this makes sense. We do have a choice. Even if the Holy Spirit allows us to see the choice clearly we still decide for ourselves. We could chose not to follow Jesus. If we did, do we know that invitation is open forever?

Another point is that it does relieve some guilt on behalf of Christians. "Why did God choose me to be saved and not others?" Maybe He has chosen all of us at one point, yet only some chose to believe.

I'm still not sure where I fall on this. I need to do more study. But at first blush, it does seem to make sense.

I really want your opinion. Click the comment link and leave your thoughts.

Robin Hood

I was thinking this Easter weekend about how Jesus is alive. It is so easy for me to think of Jesus living so long ago and they God is in Heaven. The truth is, Jesus is alive. He may not be with us physically, but He is with us.

This reminded me of Robin Hood. In the story, Robin steals from the rich and gives it to the poor. This is done much to the aggravation of the Sheriff of Nottingham and Prince John who sits on the throne. Prince John is a horrible ruler. He does not care for the people, rather uses his position purely to enjoy his power. He burdens the people with heavy taxes so that he may enjoy his lavish lifestyle.

However, Prince John is not the king. King Richard is the king. However he is away fighting in the Crusades. Even though he is not with them, the people place their hope in the fact that Richard will one day return. They know that means that Prince John's rule of oppression will be over.

This Earth is also ruled by a horrible prince. Satan is the prince of this world. He has authority over it, and he abuses that power to his own end. However Jesus is alive. He is the rightful King and He will return to reign.