(There is a special message at the end of this article for those who do not have Jesus in their life and are looking for peace and a way to better understand the present-day insanity and confusion.)
I have always found it fascinating when “old sayings” float to the surface in our lives and find application for otherwise unintended circumstances.
I believe it is God’s way of prompting us to take a closer look at ourselves. Perhaps it’s just me going through word drills in my mind, but then again, maybe not. God does most frequently communicate with people through people.
Yogi Berra, one of America’s most quoted and beloved baseball icons, had sentence structure that was wonderfully humorous and memorable, to say the least.
One of the better known is: “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”
I found it in the process of doing some research, and the word association and mental picture it created came into my mind (no doubt by prompting of the Holy Spirit) as it relates to the fact that every single person will eventually come to this specific fork in the road. All of us, with no exceptions.
It is relative to the two paths which Jesus spoke of in Matthew 7:13-14:
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
As we see by this verse, there are only two. When you come to it, which will you choose?
Truthfully, if you have not decided which fork/path you will take, then you will have decided. You have, by not deciding, selected the “broad path that leads to destruction” because you have rejected the Grace and Mercy of God.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
“For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
I have learned (the hard way) that in life, we can sometimes travel a road/path, etc., for a very long while. So long, in fact, that we have trouble deciding to turn back even when we know that it is the wrong path. This is why God equipped us with a conscience that convicts us when we do or think either right or wrong. And, as we all know, it can be quite powerful.
“So they show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts either accusing or defending them” (Romans 2:15).
Sometimes we can even see in our minds a retroactive road map, perhaps comprised of the results of some of our poor decisions that clearly confirms that we have taken the wrong path, but we purposely discard it or elect to go our own way. It can haunt our every waking moment.
I know of which I speak, my friends. For many, many years, that was my “modus operandi.”
If we go on this wide path long enough in this world, we can become so hardened of heart that we might even reject the council of friends or loved ones who try to help us to see the Truth and thus turn around.
It’s that “turn around” part that we don’t care for. We wrongly think (because, all-to-often, that Bible Word “repent” comes up) that we would “have to” change our ways. We would have to “give up” something.
Well, you would end up giving up something, but it would not be because you “had to.”
No, it would be because you would “want to!”
You would find that you are no longer under that compulsion to sin. Wanton sinning is like walking with a backpack loaded with bricks. It wears you down with guilt and shame or perhaps some other dark weight that you can’t or won’t be able to define. Maybe it won’t be felt right away, but eventually it is.
I know of what I speak. I am not one of those who became free through the Love and liberation of the mercy of Christ when I was a youngster. I was in my forties. I can still look back and see what a miracle Jesus performed for me and what a miracle the Holy Spirit performed IN ME!
I gave up NOTHING, and I have gained everything. It has been 30 years, and I still revel in the free air of Salvation.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
I do know the Truth, and He is Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God.
You can as well.
And now to the crux of this article.
Your situation is not hopeless. No, it is not, as long as you still draw breath!
There is the great God and Savior who can overcome any of our individual obstacles if we let Him. Due to His own Sovereign will, He will not force us to choose Him. It is entirely up to us.
So, even if you desire to repent (which means change the direction of your life), but you don’t know how or where to begin, or perhaps you think you can’t – but, in fact, you can. Yes, you can.
“For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37).
It is actually a simple and straightforward process once you decide to ask Him for help. He already knows every single thing about you – all that you have done, think, feel. Even what you are thinking this very moment.
He cannot be surprised, and He never refuses anyone who comes to Him in humility.
I don’t mean to oversimplify such an important thing as the salvation of your soul; after all, it required someone to die.
That Someone was/is Jesus Christ, whom God decided would pay for your sins and mine. The sinless Son of God allowed Himself to be nailed to a Roman cross for all who will repent and believe that He is who He said He is. And then, He rose from the grave to prove that He has power over death and, in fact, He is who He said He is! Imagine that!
No, you don’t have to imagine it. It is simply the Truth.
He, as He said, had the mercy to give His life for us and the power to take His life up again. That is exactly what He did.
“No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. This command I have received from My Father” (John 10:18).
So, in view of this, is there really any legitimate reason to think He can’t rescue you?
He can actually take you back to that fork in the road and show you which is the “narrow way,” the Way that leads to life.
And then, if you choose “life,” the Holy Spirit will guide you along the way. All the way Home.
I pray that you will heed and understand that you can be free from fear and feeling defeated, crushed, and utterly helpless. It requires that you come before God on His terms.
And, what are His terms according to His Word?
- Genuine repentance (turning to God instead of continuing to reject or ignore Him).
- Confession of sins (that you are a sinner and acknowledge that to God).
- That you understand that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
- To acknowledge to God that you are unable to pay that debt.
- Belief that Jesus Christ paid your death sentence for you on the cross
- To believe that Jesus is the Way, the only Way, that God has established by which humans may be saved from the consequences of their sin and rebellion.
God has made it absolutely clear that there is no one who comes before Him, under His terms, that will be refused.
- No one: no race, no color, no country of origin, regardless of any previous belief system: no one.
- No matter what your past sins have been, God can and WILL forgive you because He says He will.
- Salvation is available to everyone without any exceptions.
If you put all your trust for salvation in Jesus and Him only, you can follow that prayer up by simply saying, “Thank you, Father God, for hearing my prayer and saving me,” because we can trust Him to keep His Word.
He always has. He always will.
John 5:24: “Truly, Truly, I say to you that he who hears My words and believes the One who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned. He has crossed from death to life.”
There are no answers and there is no hope in the world by governments, organizations, politics, or politicians. There are only lies and deception. But you can have the Truth and the peace you seek.
Once you have taken the right fork, you will be able to begin to understand the roadmap:
The answers are in the Word of God. The Bible.
If you ask God with all your heart, He will hear you.
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).
Pro Salvator Vigilans
To contact me: canoeman96@gmail.com