Good Thoughts

There’s a lot to be said for positive thinking. The Bible even tells us to think on the good things. That’s the pithy version of Philippians 4:8, which says, Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (KJV)

We also read in Proverbs 3:7 - For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he… (KJV)

So we know that what we think about is very important, even to God. But does what we think override what God says? Never.

I know a man that thinks that when his life is over he will simply cease to exist. He regularly tells me that he’s just not going to think about whether there’s an afterlife or not. “Whatever is going to happen, will happen,” he says.

But God, in His wisdom, allows us to choose what will happen. His Word spells it all out quite clearly. Joshua 24:15 starts out - And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve… (KJV)

Like the man of God in the pulpit last Sunday said, you can deal with this, or you can deal with that. You can deal with what God requires of you, or you can deal with eternal damnation.

To say this isn’t fair is to not look at the big picture. Humankind sins against the God that created us. The penalty for sin is death and eternal punishment. But God in His mercy provided as escape from that penalty; He sent His Son Jesus to bare our punishment for us. He didn’t have to do that, but His love for us compelled Him.

Just thinking nice thoughts about a pleasant afterlife, or that there is no afterlife at all, isn’t enough to secure peace for your spirit. Your spirit lives forever – somewhere. You get to choose where.

Choose you this day whom ye will serve….