Green Light, Red Light

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes  in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but  to save the world through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 

John 3:16-18

We all have parents.  Some of us have had the wonderful opportunity to be parents.  As children we've been disciplined by our parents and as parents we have had to do the disciplining.

When we are being disciplined as a child by a concerned and loving parent we feel secure and cared for, whether we know it or not.  We learned, and even though as little children we didn't know it at the time, we were being prepared to be parents.  Me being disciplined brought a respect for my parents.  I would be pulled closer to them since I was being thought of even if I didn't realise it at the time.  It didn't change the fact that no matter what form of protest I gave, crying, pouting, or giving them the silent treatment, I was still given discipline and correction out of love and concern.  At those times I don't remember feeling "condemned."  I guess that means I was a fairly compliant child, lol.  I never remember feeling the consequences to my actions, only the love and concern from my parents.

• Do you know the Father loves you?  He gave His only Son for you.
• Do you know that He is alive today?  If you believe in Him you will have eternal life.

As a parent I have had to bring discipline to my children as they were growing up.  While training my children I was always careful to not condemn them but only teach them and encourage them.  I never saw it as a burden but rather as a privilege to teach them.  I always wanted my children to follow my instructions so that I wouldn't have to watch the consequences of my kids poor choices.  Thank goodness teaching my children to cross on a green light, looking both ways, has kept them safe so far.  I don't want them to learn the consequences of running across the street on a red light without looking both ways.  As they grow older and be come independent the choices are freely theirs.

God the Father is like that also.  He carefully from a place of love, gives us instruction so as how we are to conduct our lives on earth for our benefit and His.  If we chose to follow His instructions there are eternal heavenly blessings that await us, and safety and protection while we live earthly lives.  If we choose to turn away from Him then unfortunately there are eternal consequences that we will experience.

Note that if YOU choose not to believe you still have made a choice.

• Do you know that He never intended for you to choose not to believe in Him?  The purpose of sending His Son was so that you would be joyfully accept what He's offering (see green light).
• Do you know that even if you choose not to believe He does not condemn you?  You have condemned yourself because of your unwillingness to believe (crossing on red light).

If you believe me that crossing traffic on a green light and looking both ways before you cross is safer than crossing traffic without looking while the light is red, then you should believe the Son of God (Jesus) when He says if you believe in Him you will be saved and not condemned.

The choice is freely your responsibility to make.  Your Father is respectfully and lovingly watching and waiting to see what your choice is.