THE GREAT REFUSAL (2)

Every sinner is guilty of countless sins, but there is one above all others for which God is today condemning him and holding him accountable, and that is the sin of refusing Jesus Christ as his Savior. Wrapped up in that sin are all the others. That is the sin of sins. It is upon that sin the Holy Spirit puts all the pressure of conviction to bring a soul to God. This is His initial work in the sinner.

John 3:18

“He that believeth in Him is not condemned; but He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

John 16:8-9

⁸ ”And when He [the Comforter] is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: ⁹ of sin, because they believe not on me.”

God gives clear and unmistakable warnings to those who are facing the inevitable choice between their sin and His Son. The great refusal means death.

Romans 6:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The great refusal means the wrath of God abiding upon the unbeliever.

John 3:36

“He that believeth in the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

The great refusal means the judgment of the great white throne.

Revelation 20:12

“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God, and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”

The great refusal leads to eternal separation from the presence of God.

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9

⁸ ”In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who know not God, and who obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.”

God invites you to receive Christ into your life as Savior today. To drift is to refuse; to ignore is to refuse; to postpone is to refuse; to face the claim of Christ and to turn silently away is to refuse. The rich young ruler refused and was never mentioned again. A young official in China faced the claim and call of Christ one night, but he said, “Tomorrow, wait until tomorrow.” He refused; that night, he was assassinated.

2 Corinthians 6:2

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

Hebrews 3:15

“While it is said, To-day if ye shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.”

Proverbs 27:1

“Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”

Isaiah 55:6

“Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.”

“Choose ye this day whom ye will serve.”

The cross of the Lord Jesus Christ is the great divide. Which side of it are you on today? The choice is inevitable: your sin or God’s Son. (See Diagram 09.)

Source: “Life on the Highest Plane” by Ruth Paxson

Dear Lord, what more can be said? You are giving us ample time to receive your Son as our Savior while we can. Our refusal will result in our eternal separation from You.