WHY TAKE CHANCES??

     Thank you and once again a very pleasant good morning to each
listener.  May we, each one, be challenged by the truth of God's
Inspired Word, that which shall judge us in that last great Day when
we stand before the august presence of our eternal God.
     Have you ever taken a chance on doing something which you
thought better of doing?  Perhaps we have all done that. People are
inclined to take chances; in fact many revel in the thrill of chance.
The gambler is intoxicated with the thrill of his gambling.  Many
take chances of life itself. How foolish of the person who puts the
gun to his head with the thrill of "Russian roulette." Young people
are seen to play "chicken games," risking their own lives for the
thrill of the moment. I had the unfortunate circumstance of
conducting a funeral for two brothers who were killed in a car
accident where a chicken game was thought to be the culprit.
     In view of these comments, I hasten to point out that there is
usually a safe side to every problem, to every question. One does not
need to know where all of the rocks are located in order to follow
the safe channel. If we know where the safe road is located, we need
not chance the dangerous path.  In my lesson this morning, I would
like to discuss for your consideration some things wherein many are
willing to take chances, but wherein no chances need be taken. I will
point out some things where there is no need for taking a chance.
There is a safe road to follow, one that will carry us to victory in
spiritual matters; matters dealing with the eternal destiny of the
souls of mankind.
     First, look at the position of the infidel or agnostic. The
infidel denies the existence of God, of Christ Jesus, of the eternal
soul of man. They are willing to go through life without any thought
for tomorrow, without any guidance other than themselves. The infidel
thinks that if he cannot feel, touch, smell, hear, or taste something
that it cannot possibly exist. But, he is wrong in this. There are
many things which man cannot see, yet they exist. One example would
be gravity. No one has ever seen, heard, touched, tasted, or felt
gravity, yet, who denies its existence. The infidel has nothing upon
which to build their hope. They contend that man is like rover; when
he dies, he is dead all over.  I believe that the soul lives on into
eternity. That there is a God, who has authority over all things. Let
us suppose that the infidel is correct in his beliefs, what have I
lost in believing in God? If there is no eternity, what have I lost?
But, if I am right, look what a chance the infidel has taken!! He has
lost it all. Why should one take such a tremendous chance???
     Notice the position of the Universalist. The Universalist says
that all are alike, saint and sinner, that there is no difference. He
makes void all warnings against sin, the dangers and pitfalls of
error. He says if one choses to do right, to obey the gospel and life
righteously, that is all right, nothing has been lost, for all shall
be saved regardless of what one does. But, if the Bible is right and
some shall be lost, I have not lost a thing. But, look what the
Universalist has lost; he has lost his soul. God's Word does indeed
teach that some shall be lost; the broad way that leads to
destruction has many therein (Matthew 7:13). You see, there is a way
that is right and man need not take a chances.  Why should one take a
chance in this matter.
     Notice the position of the Calvinist. The Calvinist teaches
there is a set number of those who shall be saved; the rest being
lost. The Calvinist teaches that God selected the saved before this
creation began; that the number is fixed, cannot be changed. This
makes salvation unconditional, totally the responsibility of God. God
chose the saved and will bring about their salvation. Thus salvation
is totally based upon the grace of God, without man's response or
responsibility. Let us notice, if the Calvinist is correct, I have
suffered nothing by teaching that man does indeed have the
responsibility to respond to the gospel and obey it. If I have lived
faithfully to the best of my ability--nothing has been lost. But,
what if the Calvinist is wrong in his belief?? What if all men are
indeed responsible unto God for whether or not they obey. Just look
at the chance the Calvinist has taken. Think of his loss!! There is a
way that is right and cannot be wrong. God's book does indeed teach
that each and every one of us has the obligation to hear and to obey
the gospel of Christ Jesus. Man must become a believer. Each one has
that responsibility.
     Next, notice the position of the moralist: The moralist teaches
just live a good moral life, pay your debts, meet your obligations to
your neighbors and to your country, be a good citizen, a good parent,
a good neighbor, and you will be all right. The moralist ignores the
positive divine commands of God's word; he would storm heaven with
his own righteousness, his own goodness.  If the moralist is correct,
has one lost anything by obeying every command of the gospel. Truly,
the gospel demands a good moral life, but, it demands obedience also.
Every command of God is essential. Every command demands a response.
Look what the moralist has lost if I am right and he is wrong. Why
take the chance?? If he is right and I am wrong in this, I have lost
nothing, but if he is wrong and I am right, what a tremendous loss.
     Look at those who accept sprinkling or pouring for baptism.
There are those who teach that it makes no difference whether one has
water sprinkled over them or poured over them. I know of no one who
says that immersion is wrong or sinful, but that sprinkling is all
right, if one so choses. Does not the Bible say in Romans 6:3,4, "Or
are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were
baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through
baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised from the dead
through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of
life."  Jesus states, "Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he
cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5). Water is a part of
the new birth. The seed, the word of God, begets, but without a birth
there is no child. The place of delivery is from the water. Let us
suppose that sprinkling is an acceptable mode for baptism; I have
suffered nothing by being immersed. I am safe by teaching and
practicing immersion in water. But, look at those who accept
sprinkling, if indeed sprinkling is not acceptable, what a loss!!!
Are you willing to take the chance???  You do not need to.
     There are those who believe that being in the church is not
important. Many in the world believe that the church has nothing to
do with man's salvation. Look at those who lived during the days of
Noah. They did not think that they needed to be in the ark. They were
eating, drinking, and making merry when the flood came. But, they
were lost, drowned. Jesus said, "I will build my church" (Matthew
16:18). Did he?? Did He build something that is not important???
Paul said there is one body, Ephesians 4:4; and that the body is the
church, Ephesians 1:23. Let us accept, for arguments sake, that one
can be saved without being a member of the church; nothing is lost by
being a member of the church. But, look at the other side. What if
God's word is correct and one must be a member of the church to be
saved. What a tremendous loss for those who think that being a member
of the church is not important.
     Again, there are those who believe that baptism has nothing to
do with the eternal destiny of the soul. They teach that salvation is
by faith, or at the point of faith in Christ Jesus. Just believe on
the Lord and you will be saved, they are heard to say. Others would
say, "Baptism has nothing whatever to do with the salvation of one's
soul."  Did not Jesus say, "He that believeth and is baptized shall
be saved"? (Mark 16:16). Did not Peter command, "Repent and be
baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of your sins" (Acts 2:38).  For arguments sake, let us
accept that baptism is not necessary to salvation. What has it cost
me to believe that it is essential to salvation. Nothing. But, on the
other hand, what if baptism is indeed necessary unto salvation. Look
at the loss of those who deny that. Why, my friend, would you take a
chance like that??? Especially when God's inspired word is so clear
on the necessity of baptism.
     Notice again, there are those who think that man shall have
another opportunity after death; that man will have a second chance
to obey God. By reading Matthew 16:19-31, we hear the Lord saying
that there is a great gulf between those who please God and those who
do not please and that no one can pass from one side to the other.
Paul states, "at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with
the angels of his power in flaming fire, rendering vengeance to them
that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord
Jesus: who shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the
face of the Lord and from the glory of his might." (1 Thessalonians
1:7-9).  Christ is coming to judge mankind, not to offer mankind
another chance after this life. For arguments sake, let us assume
that we shall all be given another chance after this life, is
anything lost by serving the Lord now, today?? No, I have lost
nothing by doing God's will now. But, look at the other side. What if
we are correct in teaching that there will be no second chance. What
a tremendous loss for those who will be looking for a second chance.
How sad to hear "depart" instead of "enter in."
     There are those who are willing to take a chance with time
itself. Many seemingly think they have many days left; plenty of time
ahead. And they may well have many more days; but, the opposite may
well apply. Listen to James, "Whereas ye know not what shall be on
the morrow. What is your life?  For ye are a vapor that appeareth for
a little time, and then vanisheth away" (James 4:14). My friend, you
have no promise for tomorrow. The only time we have is now. Paul
says, "Now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of
salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2). I encourage each listener, make your
preparations now, today.  Who knows what tomorrow might bring.
     Sometimes it is forced upon one to take a chance. We simply have
no other choice. And when that happens we make the best decision
which we possibly can under the present circumstance. But, we do have
a choice about where we shall spend eternity. We are still on this
side of eternity with life and breath, with the ability and the
opportunity to do God's will.  You need not take a chance with your
soul, my friend. Jesus died on the cruel cross that you might live
unto God. Make up you mind today, Decide to do all that the Savior
asks of you, to obey from the heart the commandments of Christ. He
demands that you believe in Him as the Son of God. "Without faith it
is impossible to please Him" (Hebrews 11:6).  He commands of you that
you change your life, that is called repentance (Luke 13:3,5). Peter
said, "Repent ye and be baptized every one of you for the remission
of your sins." You, too, must be baptized for the remission of sins
if you would please our Lord. Then live a faithful life as His
servant while here in the flesh, that we might meet Him in judgment
and hear Him say, "Well done thou faithful servant, enter into the
tree of life."
     Route 1, Box 502, Anahuac, TX 77514.
     9:00 a.m.; 10:00 a.m.; 7:00 p.m.   Wed. 7:00 p.m.

Return to Index
Home