Choice, Not Judgment
A Devotion
The Goodsoil Discipleship Ministry
By Bro. Andy Madonio
December 16, 2000
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. John 3:16-17.
Consider the following scenario: Through much effort and immeasurable expense, it is made clear to you that to decide upon one of two particular paths will yield a predicted result. The effort and expense were required to make it plain that one path will lead to good -- even wonderful! -- things revealed tirelessly in eternity. Alternatively, the remaining choice is shown to lead to horrid and nasty events, which also unfold in the unending timeframe of forever. There it is -- the plan is unfurled on the table of the Designer for you to evaluate and to choose.
The Designer's plan is shown to contain the element of love unparalleled. It's cost to the Designer, as alluded to previously, is incalculable. Correspondingly, the reward for choosing the priceless path is, again, only realized fully under eternity's watchful eye. Further, and most importantly, the plan is distinguished carefully by what it is NOT. It is not a plan of judgment, yet, in taking pains to carefully point that out, it is obviously anticipated that some will treat it as such.
We men, dwelling as we do in our present nature, all possess two important characteristics that the Designer took into consideration when He fashioned His plan. First, inherent within us is the freedom to choose as we wish. We are never compelled nor forced to comply in any particular way. The Designer lovingly made for that provision. Secondly, and most ironically, we also have in our mixture the proclivity to stand singularly opposed to having to choose. We kick and sputter angrily at the knowledge that our very "decision" not to choose results in a most definite choice. We are therefore shown the plan and left free to decide on our own. God says, "Here is My plan, now you choose, I will not choose for you. Understand, however, what it cost Me to provide the option of eternal life which I now set before you."
The choice -- life or judgment -- is yours and yours alone; God simply provided for the options. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
