The Choices We Make 

   “What we get afterward we choose here; and what we reap there we sow here.” (St. Augustine) 

I've heard people deny the existence of God because they say they can’t believe in a God who would send anyone to hell.  That can’t be a loving God and they refuse to accept Him.

   God doesn’t send anyone to hell, we choose where we will spend eternity.  Just like in life, our choices have consequences, our actions speak far more fluently to who we are than our words.  If we live a life of sin, never repenting, never accepting the redemption that Christ purchased for us on the cross, how can we expect to benefit from the love and mercy that has been shown to us.

   Everything we do in life requires choices, from the simplest to the most important.  We choose whether we will have eggs or cereal for breakfast, a simple decision, but nevertheless a choice that we must make.

   We choose whether to marry or to remain single; we make the choice of who we will marry if marriage is our choice.  Decisions that will affect our entire life, sometimes made on a whim.  But once made, we must accept what those choices bring.

   There is no difference in our choice of whether we will serve God, ignore Him, or serve a god of our own making.  Of all the choices we will make in life, this is the most important.  Whether we like to admit it or not, if we don't serve the one true God, we will serve a false god of some kind.  Some choose to serve money, or fame.  Many choose self as their god, caring nothing for anyone else except to use them to their own advantage.

   The incredible thing about our God is He will love us no matter what we choose.  We can, at any time in this life, turn to Him in repentance and He will welcome us into His loving arms.  However, if we do not serve God, we will serve Satan in one form or another; there are no other choices.  To spend eternity in heaven or hell is the consequence of that choice.