If we live in the United States (or any other country), whether we originally chose to live there or not, we have to follow that country’s laws—or pay fines or go to jail or move somewhere else. We are free to choose whether or not to obey the laws of our country, but then we have to accept the consequences of our choices whether we agree with them or not.
(At this point, I could go off on a tangent about the ethics and options of civil disobedience, but that’s not the point of this post, so let’s not go there today. Let’s stick to whether or not we have to follow anyone.)
If someone like Thoreau doesn’t want to follow the laws of the state or country he lives in, along with choosing whether or not to obey (and accepting the consequences of that choice), that person is also free to move somewhere else. But finding somewhere else to live where there is no government and are no laws to follow would be quite a challenge today.
In the spiritual realm, it is impossible.
Here’s the deal:
Satan’s goal is to keep as many people out of God’s Kingdom as possible. A body (or soul) count is all he wants.
God wants to let everyone into His Kingdom—everyone! But the only way in is through Christ, by accepting His gift of salvation and choosing to follow Him. Some people think this is unfair, but God is God. It’s His Kingdom. He created it. He’s in charge. He has the right to make the rules. He has the right to say that everyone is welcome, but all must come through Christ and choose to obey.
Therefore, if someone says, “I don’t want to be a part of either kingdom. I just want to do my own thing,” that person, by choice, cannot enter God’s Kingdom, and therefore, by default, is part of Satan’s. There is no other option. There’s no where else to go.
Yes, we have to follow someone. We have no choice but to choose.
But here’s what I don’t get:
God offers love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. He offers mercy, grace, and forgiveness. He offers cleansing and perfection. He offers wisdom and truth. He offers hope. He offers eternal and abundant life. He offers Himself! –as a Savior, as a loving Father, as a gentle Shepherd, as a Friend, as a Teacher, as a Comforter, as a Guide. And so much more! (What's not to love in all that?!)
Satan offers unspeakable horror and never-ending hopelessness. (And this is appealing, why?)
Why is this such a difficult and dreaded choice for some? And, even if there were a third choice, to just do your own thing, wouldn’t life with God beat that option hands down? It surely would for me.
I’ll close with the verse I quoted in my last post:
“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve . . . but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." –Joshua 24:15If you haven't already, I hope you'll join me. God loves you. He's waiting--with open arms--today!

If you don't know how to receive Christ as your Savior to enter God's Kingdom, please click on the ready button in my sidebar to the right. God has made it so simple! I hope you'll pray today.














