From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.”
We’re going to have to make a choice: is it Jesus or Caesar? Will we please the God of the Bible or the god of this world?
First, every man must make a choice. We cannot sit in the middle. We have to choose sides. Pilate tried to bring Jesus out after a beating. He sought to release Him to the Jews, but Jesus had to be put to death, and his hand must do it [John 18:31-32].
Everyone must choose between God and Satan. We cannot play both sides. We can’t follow the world and Christ. We can’t preach to please man [Gal 1:20]. We must come all the way out to the gospel, and then we’ll gain it [Matt 10:39]. If we do not, then we’ll lose everything.
Orpah kissed her mother in law but went back, just like Judas. Ruth cleaved to her, which is what we must do. Ruth 1:14 “Again they wept loudly, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.” We must forsake all to follow Christ, no matter what happens to us, even death. Ruth 1:16-17 “But Ruth replied: Do not persuade me to leave you or go back and not follow you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May Yahweh punish me, and do so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.” This is the only hope - to fly for refuge to Christ -and if He’s our Savior, then we will [Heb 6:18]. Otherwise, we’ll choose this world and perish. We’ll give up our eternal souls for 30 pieces of silver.
Secondly, if we choose Christ, then it will be well with us, because God will be on our side. We’ll have the Almighty reconciled to us, and we’ll be God’s friend. Noami didn’t have anything for Ruth but God, but He is sufficient! Oh, the greatness of the inheritance. Do not squander it. It has pleasures the world cannot give [John 18:36]. It has joy that lasts eternally, and it delivers us from hell. God will give you power and peace [Rom 8:6]. He’ll give your life meaning and authenticity. He’ll deliver you from the fear of man.
Don’t waste your time cowering, squandering what you could have. Choose this day, and choose wisely. Deuteronomy 30:19 “I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live.” Choose life instead of death.
Thirdly, most will not choose Christ. They go back. Like Pilate, they play and lose. They miscalculate and lose their eternal souls. They shall regret this decision forever. It is horrible, but hell will hear the cries of regret. Men will say, “I had a chance at doing good. I had a chance, and I squandered it. I chose the world and gave up eternal life. I lost my soul for a few years, and it is not worth it. I’m lost forever, and I can’t get out.”
Oh, don’t let this happen to you. Calculate wisely. Do better than those who perish. Look into the Lake of Fire and see the smoke ascending. See God REFUSING to let souls out. He’ll hear you now, but not later [2 Cor 6:2]. Now is the day of salvation. Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart. Enter by faith. Believe God. Don’t squander it. Don’t lose your soul; it is not worth it.
Finally, which one are you? Ruth or Pilate? Do you follow Jesus or Caesar?
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