Rejoice – The Disciple-Making Lifestyle

When the Lord Jesus cast Satan out of heaven, this was long before His incarnation and brief lifetime in Judea. Jesus arrived in humble Bethlehem in the fullness of time. However, much earlier, the fallen angel, Lucifer, conducted a celestial rebellion and lost the highest possible privilege of living in God’s presence. The Apostle Peter explained this to us, saying, “…God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment.” (2 Peter 2:4)

Sadly, after man was fashioned by God, his first sin of disobedience revealed what the Lord Jesus later referred to as the broad road (see Matthew 7:14). This road is defined by self-rule! Tragically, it leads to the lonely dungeon which was designed for the devil’s angels. However, it will be shared by unrepentant sinners. The Lord warned us that those who choose to take the wide, easy road of unbelief and sin, will be among the multitude who will “grind their teeth” in deep regret. This anguish will exist for all eternity. Jesus said, “So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 13:49-50)

Eternal life is God’s gift to all who respond to His love. It is essential to remember that He has never wanted spiritual death for anyone – people sentence themselves to that tragic destination. They do this through their own chosen sins and rejection of heaven’s Savior. They only remain lost through willful doubt and their unforgiven disobedience. The Lord Jesus explained, “…it is not the will of My Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:14) Said simply, the only choice that God is unwilling to forgive is failing to receive His forgiveness!

Think back. Did someone’s example or personal concern point you to God’s narrow path? Did he or she bring the glorious light of the gospel into your darkness? Now it is your turn to – “rejoice”. Experience the joy of taking Christ’s “light” to someone else and make that privilege count today!

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)